Ray has led, and continues to enjoy, a colourful and exciting life. His biography of achievements is almost too long to do it justice. In his early days he was a chef at the Savoy and the six star Atlantic hotel. He’s opened and run successful nightclubs in Manhattan and a naturist campsite in southern France not to mention appeared in films such as the Da Vinci Code and Casino Royale.
He’s worked for Hambros Private Bank and Barclays Bank and has taken a degree in Geology, he’s travelled to the bottom of the deepest mine in the world. He said, “There, it’s not the walls or ceiling caving in you worry about, it’s the floor coming up to crush you through seismic movement.” Enough to put chills down the spine of anyone. Currently Ray is training to be a barrister and is member of Middle Temple soon to be fully qualified whilst also running training courses for London Underground staff on track health and safety.
When asked what appealed to him about entering the Fastnet his response was, “I’ve sailed the world and enjoyed it, but will be a real test of skill, stamina, endurance and sailing ability – it’s an opportunity not to be missed.”