Lessons from 1,000 miles of ocean racing

From a headstay failure near Newport to a tangled halyard at dusk, offshore racing delivers its education without apology. Report by Gary Jobson:

Once a sailboat has left the starting line on a long-distance race, the crew shifts into an organized routine that is important to follow. I enjoy these long passages for many reasons: watching the environment change with every mile, crew camaraderie and conversations, the miles left behind that feel like a milestone, and the cadence of a watch routine. There’s an urgency to do things correctly, but also a sense of comfort on the water. To me, these precious moments under sail are real freedom.

Last summer, I sailed more than 1,000 miles in several ocean races. Those miles taught me many lessons about how to prepare for long-distance sailing and deal with unexpected problems. Our crew had our share of issues.

We had sailed almost flawlessly for 441 miles of the Annapolis to Newport Race. The finish line was just over the horizon, with only 32 miles to go. And then, disaster. – Full report