Bora Gulari: New Challenges

Bora Gulari is a threat in whatever he sails. In the Moth, the defacto class of the pro sailor, Bora has two World titles. In the Melges 24, rather than collect a paycheck as tactician, he skippers against, and beats, the best pro teams. And now he has won the 50th Anniversary E-Scow Blue Chip Regatta, which invited 24 accomplished sailors from all corners of the sport for an elite shoot-out.

For his latest trick, the 2009 US Rolex Yachtsman and of the Year is looking at the Olympics in the Nacra 17. Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck checks in with Bora for an update.

Let’s start with the Blue Chip. All the skippers had competed in the event once before. How’d it go for you the first time?
I know I wasn’t last but I for sure wasn’t first …I think I finished mid-fleet. I only remember one day of racing and it was in a Northerly. I remember the start line being about half a boat length above the weed line so it was very tricky even for Lake Pewaukee standards.

What is it about the E-Scow that non-scow sailors have to figure out?
Never pinch. If the jib backs it’s quicker to tack then bear away and get going again. Also, angle of heel is more important than any other boat you ever sail. Too flat and the boat get glued to the water and too heeled and you go slow and slide sideways.

Explain the vibe at the 50th event.
It was the coolest thing ever. I was a little star struck to say the least but everyone was so glad to be there. Matching up all the skippers with scow teams through a lottery was very cool. I made three friends for life that I had never known before the regatta. During the racing, you always knew there was a good sailor right next to you, and I never heard the ‘protest’ word.

What is it about the Inland Lake Yachting Association and their scow fleets that the outside world should know about?
The level of sailing is very high but yet the family atmosphere is like nothing I have ever witnessed before. The boats are fast and comfortable and the sailing is civilized. Have you ever come in for lunch in the middle of a day’s racing?

What launched the idea of sailing the Nacra 17?
Charlie McKee, the High Performance Director for the US Olympic Sailing Team, talked to me when I was looking for a new challenge. I am patriotic as hell, so it made a lot of sense to me.

You are sailing with Solvig Sayre. How’d you two get connected?
It’s sort of an arranged marriage. I didn’t have any good candidates for a crew, which needed to be a female as it is a mixed Olympic event. The need for a strong crew is very important, so US team coach Leandro Spina contacted Solvig to go for a test sail with me. She had been racing in the Women’s Windsurfing event but she agreed to switch disciplines and start sailing with me. I consider myself very lucky.

What has been your impression of the Nacra 17?
It’s a good boat, very technical, and challenging.

What is your plan going forward?
Sail as much as humanly possible and to prepare for the events that will be used to select the US representative for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. The first event is the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami, Florida (January 25-30, 2016) and the Nacra 17 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida (February 7-14, 2016).

What about the Moth and Melges 24?
On hold for now. I’ll be back but have more important things to tend to for now.

NOTE: Gary Jobson’s production company produced a documentary about the E Scow and the Blue Chip event which is scheduled to appear on the ESPN Classic channel on Wednesday, October 28. Check your local listings for show time.