What does it take to win the Monhegan?
A race like Monhegan requires preparation, practice, patience, and focus.
Preparation will differ slightly depending on the boat, but the basics remain the same. Making sure that the mechanics of the boat are functional, that the crew will be safe, warm and fed, and that you have the tools to complete the race. As the race is about ⅔ of the way into the Maine season most people have been sailing for two to three months. A basic inspection of standing and running rigging, checks of electrical, plumbing, steering and other systems is a great start. Go through sails to check on condition and make sure you have all the running rigging you will need for their use. Going through the boat with an eye for how many crew you will have on board, where they will be on and off watch, and what they need. A warm, safe and fed crew will be the most successful.
Crews that sail well together have often practiced in advance. Just getting out for a Thursday night race together can help people understand roles and what’s required to make the boat go. After the start, once boats clear out of the Hussey, much of the racing is on longer legs, so boat maneuvers usually have plenty of time to prepare and execute, Making sure the crew is alert and focused while on deck is important to a race strategy. Monhegan is usually not won based on a particular chute set or gybe. Going out for a night sail is a great way to get crew members comfortable on the boat under low visibility conditions.
Boredom and complacency are two challenges for any longer distance race. Keeping the helm on track can be a trick mile after mile. Some crews rotate helms regularly and have a second person tasked with checking course and trim. Keeping an eye on expected weather and wind conditions on the course will also come into play as the race progresses. Boats have led the race to the Monhegan mark and then lost to competitors coming up behind because they were not keeping speeds up on the return leg. At that point in the race crew members may be tired, so making sure there is a rotation so everyone has an opportunity to rest (and take advantage of it) is important. A 20 minute nap can refresh many folks to keep them focused for another turn at the helm.
Keeping focus is often as simple as setting goals, watching speeds, or playing mental games to keep the minds at work. Some boats track mileage per watch or helm and that sets up some playful competition between the crews. It’s often fun to see who gets the speed record in any given race. Recognizing when folks are losing focus is always important, making sure to rotate people more often as the race progresses if they are getting tired. Having snacks available can also be a key element to keeping focus up on deck.
The boats that manage to balance these elements usually end up on top. Nothing in sailboat racing is a given, but over the years themes emerge and are observed by the fleet. Race partner Quantum Sails Downeast understands these ideas and has many resources available on their website.
