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Captain
Captain - Steve McLaren
Nationality - Scottish
Steve McLaren is the Captain and was the project manager for the Elena project. Steve has over 40 years of experience sailing and building the world’s most magnificent yachts. Prior to Elena he built and ran 120 foot sailing yacht Alejandra for 10 years. This was followed by several seasons as Captain of classic yacht Eleonora cruising and racing her all over the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. As a result, Steve has an extensive knowledge of the best anchorages and sailing grounds on both sides of the Atlantic.
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First Mate
First Mate - David Martirano
Nationality - Canadian
David is from Prince Edward Island, Canada. He grew up onboard schooners between Eastern Canada, the Caribbean and New England and by 18 years old was sailing professionally. He captained a 33 meter classic ketch from the age of 23 for six years. Prior to working together on Elena David and Captain Steve McLaren worked together onboard schooner Eleonora. David loves Elena as he feels like he is getting back to his roots working onboard a schooner. He feels equally at home in the Caribbean and Mediterranean and enjoys the best each location has to offer.
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Chef
Chef - Marco Botto
Nationality - Italian
Marco began his career cooking 26 years ago in his family restaurant in Genoa, Italy. From there he worked his way through the ranks in restaurants in Italy. Marco worked in well known restaurants in London before making the change to working onboard yachts. Since joining Elena he has become a valued member of the team. Marco enjoys cooking seafood and fresh, healthy cuisine. The crew can confirm his expertise in many types of cuisines including Mediterranean, Asian and Fusion.
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Engineer
Engineer - Leo Nassau Murray
Nationality - English
Leo is from Plymouth. He joined Elena at the beginning of the summer 2011 season. Leo loved sailing as a child and went on to study naval architecture at university. He worked surveying the British Naval fleet before joining yachting in 2009. Leo feels lucky to be part of the Elena team and has particularly enjoyed sailing the San Blas Islands in Panama.
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Bosun
Bosun - Jason Beken
Nationality - British
Jason Beken is the bosun. He joined the project in January 2009. His area of special expertise is leather and all kinds of ropework. He is now an accomplished varnisher and brings a wealth of experience from his five years on his previous boat Mariquita.
He is a divemaster, and accomplished freediver, and tells us that there is a lot of good lobster in the Caribbean! Jason is a member of the famous photographic family and is looking forward to getting some great photos of Elena this year. He is an out and out traditionalist and takes a great pride in his work.
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Chief Stewardess
Chief Stewardess - Tanya Baker
Nationality - British
Tanya joins Elena from Norfolk, England. She began sailing with Antigua race week in 2006 while she was still living and working in London in PR and events organization. She loved the experience so much that she was determined to get back to it as soon as possible. She then crossed the Atlantic on a 53ft Oyster to Antigua where she has been involved in racing until joining Elena for the beginning of the summer 2011 season. Tanya says she adores everything about Elena and that living aboard her feels like ‘home’. She says she is proud to look after her interior and to be involved with racing her.
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Deckhand
Deckhand - Andrew Barber
Nationality - British
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2nd Stewardess
2nd Stewardess - Ninna Andreasson
Nationality - Swedish
Ninna is from Sweden and is a happy member of the interior team. Her passion for travel and adventure has brought her to working onboard Elena. Among her interests are watersports of every type. Ninna’s previous employment has included service in restaurants and bars, working with children and as a lifeguard. She has cruised the Mediterranean and Caribbean with Elena and looks forward to exploring many new places.