L Hippocampe - Crewed Sailing Yacht Charter

Ella Holmes, Captain

Nationality: New Zealand
Language: English

Having grown up on the waters of Tasman Bay and the beaches of Abel Tasman, New Zealand, Ella set her sights on a career within the maritime industry early on. As as a delivery Captain for domestic deliveries within New Zealand and a wealth of experience on various charter yachts and super yachts, Ella has honed her skills and expertise navigating the vast expanses of the ocean.
Ella is reliable, calm and has strong sailing abilities which she has proven in various regattas. She holds an impressive track record, achieving success in regattas and even circumnavigating New Zealand double handed during the challenging mid-winter months at sea level snow and sailing in winds upwards of 50 knots.
In addition to her maritime pursuits, Ella is a trained and qualified swim teacher accredited by Swim NZ, as well as a vigilant lifeguard, further demonstrating her commitment to safety and proficiency in aquatic environments.
Her love for the sea extends beyond her career as Ella finds solace and joy on the water in her free time as well. In her time off you will find her indulging in activities such as sailing, kitesurfing, freediving, and bouldering.

Tilo Thevenard, Engineer

Nationality: New Zealand
Language: English

Tilo grew up on and around the ocean and has been immersed in oceanic environments since childhood. He is a passionate sailor and engineer and follows that passion by building a career in the industry as an engineer along the SV route.
He has a problem-solving mechanical mindset, great attention to detail, possesses a knack for rapid learning and constantly seeks to expand his knowledge and skills across various domains.
Tilo is an experienced sailor and has extensive sailboat racing experience. He owned a Young 99 sailing yacht which he refitted and sailed around New Zealand.
Tilo is calm and charismatic and a team player who gets along with others easily. Water sports are not just hobbies to him but integral parts of life and you will find him sailing, freediving, kitesurfing, and surfing on his time off.

Anna Krastina, Stewardess/ Sommelier

Nationality: Latvia
Languages: English and Latvian

Anna is a highly experienced and detail-oriented sommelier with a robust background in fine dining and hospitality. With a passion for delivering impeccable service, Anna excels in creating memorable guest experiences, particularly in wine pairing and premium wine service.
Her extensive training in both the UK and New Zealand, combined with her hands-on experience in Michelin-starred environments, makes her an exceptional asset as a stew/sommelier on luxury yacht charters.

Jordan Cummings, Chef

Nationality: United Kingdom
Languages: English

Jordan is an experienced and highly skilled chef with a prestigious background in Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end culinary establishments.
With over a decade of culinary expertise, Jordan has honed his skills across multiple continents, including the UK, France, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia.
His formal training at renowned institutions like The Ritz London and extensive experience in fine dining and bespoke menu creation make him an exceptional asset to the yacht for guests who seek premium culinary experiences.