Dessert off the menu for Azzam

No fresh food, very few treats – that is the reality sailors in the Volvo Ocean Race face as they make their way around the world.

Azzam crew members do not have a lot of culinary options while sailing, but one of their favourite snacks are roasted peanuts. They apparently ran out on the first segment of Leg 2.

After 16 days at sea, the crews of the Volvo Ocean Race were undoubtedly enjoying a hearty meal as their yachts are being transported to the UAE for the final stage of the race to Abu Dhabi.

While on board, the sailors face exhaustion and massive physical challenges, all while drawing their nourishment from freeze-dried foods.

No fresh food, very few treats - that is the reality they face during the around the world race.

To keep weight to a minimum, the majority of teams' meals come in foil packets - freeze-dried food that just needs hot water added.

The meals are specially designed to provide enough nutrition, but they are hardly gourmet.

Options range from Thai green curry to spaghetti bolognese, but restaurant quality they are not.

And there is little room for even the smallest treats at sea.

Rob Greenhalgh, the man in charge of food on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Azzam, said keeping the crew happy was "impossible".

"The skipper has already complained there's not enough peanuts on board. That's why we're coming last, apparently - not enough roasted peanuts," Greenhalgh said.

"The crew has enough chocolate, perhaps a bit too much.

"We don't have too many choices [with freeze-dried food], but I think we'll be getting rid of the spaghetti bolognese for the next leg. That didn't seem to be a house favourite.

"Maybe we will bring in some classic Arabian dishes.

"Maybe later in the race, as we progress, we might get into desserts. Once we're off the bottom of the leader board we might be worthy of dessert.

"Until then desserts are off the menu."

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