Against all odds: The Jarhead Women's Team's epic maiden race

The Jarhead Women's Team's first Rolex Middle Sea Race was a baptism of fire. Faced with severe weather and sleepless nights, they drew on their training, trust, and determination to complete the gruelling course—a journey they will never forget.

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How did completing your first-ever Rolex Middle Sea Race as the Jarhead Women's Team feel? What emotions stood out as you crossed the finish line, and how do you reflect on this milestone?

GARY: Completing my first RMSR as a skipper was a massive accomplishment for me, and an even more significant accomplishment was achieving the result we achieved. Crossing the finish line was a mix of relief and a great sense of achievement.

BOB: As the skipper has always told us in preparation for the race, "Even starting the race is a huge achievement!". With all the preparations leading up to the race to get the boat (and ourselves) ready and the traditionally chaotic start- which saw over 100 boats fight for the best head start at the mouth of the harbour. One can imagine the sense of achievement we felt when we managed to start the race and finish in good time while fighting for a spot in the upper end of our category.

CHRISTINA: Finishing the Rolex Middle Sea Race with the Jarhead Women's Team was epic—a bucket list achievement and the challenge of a lifetime. Starting with 66 knots of wind on Day 1 was next-level madness!  Crossing the finish line was a mix of relief, disbelief, and pure joy. After battling horrendous conditions for five and a half days, we passed the Tigné Point flag, hearing that mighty finish horn. It was momentous—every fear and ounce of exhaustion was worth it.

Can you describe the moment severe weather struck during the race? How did the team react, and what immediate actions were taken to ensure safety and maintain vessel control?

GARY: When I saw the storm coming, we put down the kite to prepare for when it hit. As soon as it hit, we put down all our canvas and waited it out. I instructed the crew to stay in the cockpit, where it was safe to avoid any accidents.

EMMA: It was an intense and memorable event when a massive storm swarmed the race. We were surrounded by dark clouds and waterspouts. The wind, starting from around 12 knots, went up to 20-24 knots, and in a matter of seconds, it shot up to 65 knots. Thankfully, the skipper had anticipated the sudden wind increase beforehand, and we managed to get down the headsail immediately.  The rain battered us, our vision deteriorated, and the storm's noise overpowered everything. The crew snapped into action immediately. Lifejackets were checked and secured, and everyone clipped onto the safety lines for stability. Everyone sat in the cockpit, and I kept the wheel turned to one side and waited for the storm to pass.

Communication was key—despite the chaos, the crew remained calm and focused. We worked as a team, each person playing their role to keep the boat under control and everyone safe. A mix of adrenaline, trust, and experience got us through. When the storm finally eased, we were drenched, exhausted, but deeply proud of how we'd handled it together. It was a true test of teamwork and seamanship.

PIPPA: From my perspective, I had just been woken up during my rest time and told to get on deck and be prepared for the storm. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, and yes, I was scared. But I had my team by my side the whole time, ensuring me that all would be fine, and it was. I am incredibly grateful for their constant support and encouragement on and off the water.

CHRISTINA: A few hours into Day 1, we spotted four or five waterspouts about 2–3 miles away. Moments later, the skies turned white, and massive gusts pinned the boat on her side. Gary and Keith quickly dropped the sails while Emma took the helm. The rest of us huddled in the cockpit, supporting each other as we braced for the epic storm. Those 10 minutes, facing 66-knot gusts on a 36-foot boat, felt like an eternity! It was a humbling experience I'll never forget.

How did the extreme conditions affect team morale and communication? Were there pivotal moments where the team's cohesion was tested, and how did you navigate those challenges?

PIPPA: I will say that at first, the team must have felt concerned for the safety of the boat and all on board, but I must say that everything was handled well and professionally. Morale was pretty high most of the time, and in pivotal moments, we remained focused and determined to do well.

BOB: I can't say there weren't times we didn't test each other's patience, but one would expect that with 8 very different people living on a small vessel for 6 days. However, we managed to manoeuvre ourselves into a routine that saw past our disagreements and worked around each individual's fatigue to pull through for the others when needed.

CHIARA: Overall, the team worked well under pressure and in harsh conditions. There was one specific moment that really tested the team and me. It was dark and very windy, rounding the west coast of Sicily. We went to do an outside jib, and the lazy got stuck. The spinnaker had a mind of its own, and the boat went round in circles, losing our bearings. The crew on shift were in fight or flight mode, under the explicit instructions of the skipper, on what to do next. It was hands down the scariest moment of the race, but it was worth it; I woke up for my next shift with us first!

Did the harsh weather expose any weaknesses in your equipment or preparation? In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently regarding gear selection or training to handle such conditions better?

GARY: The harsh weather broke a car off the main and a batten in the jib top, but nothing that couldn't be fixed on the go or essential for the race.

KEITH: The harsh weather put our equipment and preparation to the test, but in many ways, it highlighted how crucial our readiness was. The inspections carried out by the RMYC safety officers were key in identifying areas for improvement, and their feedback played a significant role in our ability to finish the race. On the first day, when we encountered that incredible 66-knot weather front, we used our storm headsail and fully reefed mainsail to navigate through it—both of which must be onboard to compete. These sails and our preparation were critical in keeping us safe.

Towards the end of the race, we noticed that the housing for the bowsprit/extendable spinnaker pole had cracked, and the boat started taking on a significant amount of water as we were hard over an upwind tack for over 24 hours. This could have been a major issue, but thanks to the safety officer's advice, we had replaced our underpowered handheld bilge pump with a higher-capacity one before the race. We had also packed extra cable, which allowed us to operate the pump from any location on the boat. Without those changes, we would have likely been forced to retire.

This experience reaffirmed the importance of thorough preparation and the role of The Foundation in ensuring that we could meet these challenges head-on. The Foundation leaves no stone unturned in terms of boat and team preparations. Before the race, both boats are serviced on the hard at a very high cost. Triple-checking our gear, understanding why each piece of equipment was on board, and having the right tools for the job allowed us to handle extreme conditions, finish safely, and even place well.

Yachting is an incredibly demanding and expensive sport, and none of this would have been possible without the support of The Foundation and our sponsors, namely Camilleri Marine, MMH Malta Ltd, and Pharma.mt. Their backing ensured we were fully equipped and prepared to overcome every challenge the race threw at us.

What were the most significant lessons from competing in unpredictable and harsh conditions? How do you apply these insights to future races or training sessions?

BOB: The biggest takeaway was the value of clear communication. It is often challenging to communicate in the best conditions on a boat, which was made harder with the loud flapping sails, the rush of the water and the pouring rain, especially when quick decisions were necessary to keep the boat and crew safe. In addition,  given that forecasts were rarely even close to being accurate, learning to understand the air and sea conditions was a handy skill to anticipate our next moves. This is definitely something I now pay more attention to during training and the races following.

EMMA: Competing in the unpredictable and harsh conditions of the Rolex Middle Sea Race taught me invaluable lessons about preparation, teamwork, and adaptability. The storm reinforced the importance of being ready for the worst, from double-checking equipment to having clear emergency protocols. It also highlighted how vital clear and calm communication is, especially under pressure, as it became our lifeline during the chaos. Adaptability proved to be a superpower, with rapidly changing conditions requiring quick decisions and trust in instincts. Most importantly, the experience underscored that resilience is built as a team—no one faces a storm alone. Moving forward, I plan to enhance pre-race drills, simulate high-pressure scenarios during training, and integrate more varied challenges to build confidence and flexibility. I'll also prioritize team building to strengthen trust and camaraderie, ensuring we're even more prepared for future races. This race was a humbling reminder of the ocean's power and our capacity to rise to the occasion together.

CHIARA:  The race was a mix of emotions from start to end – I finished the race on a high and was overwhelmed, especially when I saw my family. The MSR taught me the importance of discipline, teamwork and being prepared, which applies to daily life on land.

The race tested physical endurance and mental fortitude. How did you and your teammates manage fatigue and stress during the most challenging parts of the race? Were there specific strategies or routines that proved effective?

PIPPA: We had fixed shift patterns of three hours on and three hours off, which I felt worked well for our team. As I said, our team was extremely supportive of one another throughout the entire race. This really helped me, as there were some moments when I was not feeling my best and demotivated. During the most challenging parts of the race, we pushed as much as we could and made the best of the situations we faced.

EMMA: The Rolex Middle Sea Race was as much a test of mental resilience as physical endurance. Managing fatigue and stress during the most challenging moments required preparation, discipline, and teamwork. We relied heavily on a well-organized watch system, ensuring everyone had time to rest while maintaining a functional crew on deck. Short but quality sleep breaks were crucial to staying alert, and we prioritized hydration and regular snacks to keep energy levels up, even in rough conditions. Communication played a significant role in managing stress—checking in with one another, sharing updates, and offering encouragement helped keep spirits high. Humour and light-hearted moments, even in tough times, were surprisingly effective in diffusing tension. Everyone had their role, and trust in each other's capabilities gave us the confidence to focus on our tasks without worrying. Physical and mental preparation before the race also made a difference. Practising under simulated stressful conditions during the training helped us stay composed when things got tough. Ultimately, the combination of structure, mutual support, and mental grit kept us pushing forward, even when the race seemed relentless.

CHRISTINA: There were moments when we came face-to-face with the reality of how dangerous this race was, and it made me realize just how strong and capable my team truly is. The three-hour on-and-off shifts were brutal but essential to keep us functioning. They gave us just enough structure to hang on in the chaos. For the first time, I completely put my life in the hands of others, and that was both terrifying and humbling! It was insane, but it was also an honour to sail alongside such incredible teammates.

CHIARA: Each team member looked out for one another. The intention was to have shifts; however, as we progressed in the race, illnesses, fatigue, and stress came into play. Members would fill in for others at specific points, and roles were reversed if needed.  

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