Ray Davies: Named ETNZ's backup helm, he rocks on and off the water.

BASS PLAYERS have to be good at improvisation, and Ray Davies (NZL) plays a mean rock bass. It's been awhile since we played together; last time was the "Sailors Band" at the prize giving after-party for an Audi MedCup regatta in Portimão, Portugal circa 2008, along with Tony Rae (NZL) on lead vocals and Nacho Postigo (ESP) on drums. Ray has been the highly-regarded tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand over the past several Cups, including at San Francisco in 2013, and he has just been named ETNZ's backup helm for the 2017 Cup in BDA. Congrats, Ray!

It sounds like it will take all of Ray's improvisational skills because, according to Duncan Johnstone's article posted today (Sunday in NZL) on the stuff.co.nz website, so far he has had zero time on the wheel of their AC50.

Team New Zealand veteran Ray Davies will be on the wheel in Bermuda in emergency situations. Photo: ETNZ, via stuff.co.nz.

SI FILE PHOTO: Ray Davies (NZL), third from left in the back, plays a mean rock bass during the prizegiving party at an Audi MedCup regatta in Portugal circa 2008.