Written by Have you ever noticed the incredible synchronicity of a yachting race team in action? They are perhaps only comparable to the astounding coordination of a pit crew during a formula one race.
The finely choreographed movements of the crew are vital to sailing success. But there’s more to this ‘dance’ than just a taught procedure and this tacit agreement can be taken to any arena, court, or organization in the world. Herb Brooks, the great 1980 USA gold medal winning hockey coach once said, “I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right ones.” He knew that the chemistry created by the perceptive balance of personalities was more important to success that specific skills. Similarly assembling a high-functioning crew for a boat is going to depend largely on personality.
“Nobody wants to sail on a team full of type A overachievers. We do want sailors who are motivated to excel and leave no stone unturned, but we need one or two who are truly happy to be there, enjoy the day being part of the team and pitch in where they can. That variety in team composition can provide humility for the over-achiever and motivate the otherwise lazy sailor on the crew.” – Jake Fish, US Sailing.
During the infamous 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, these highly synchronized and collaborative teams were truly tested. On that fateful day, hurricane-force winds reaching speeds over 100 miles an hour fuelled waves said to be as tall as eight-story buildings. Conventional communication in the howling winds and the driving rain was practically impossible. Having hit an enormous wave, the 35-foot sailboat, AFR Midnight Rambler was suspended in mid-air before plummeting over 30 feet down and crashing to the surface of the water.
“No one said it aloud, but they all knew that they could die in the storm. Yet in spite of their paralyzing fear, the crew supported each other with remarkable teamwork. Competing in the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race, skipper Ed Psaltis and his amateur crew did more than survive the deadly storm. The AFR Midnight Rambler went on to become the Overall Winner of the race–the smallest boat in ten years to win the prestigious Tattersall’s Cup.”
Six sailors died and five boats were lost when that terrifying storm hit Bass Strait during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, but there were lessons to be learned in the tragedy that contribute to developing a team culture that allows every person to provide direction in their area of expertise to help the team succeed. Exceptional teamwork and leadership provide power against adversity, and the strength to present as a cohesive, harmonious team.
The differing fates of the vessels in the Sydney to Hobart Race “…underscores the importance of having a coherent, unified team. Some boats, like the Midnight Rambler, demonstrated extraordinary cohesiveness even under the most terrifying, life-threatening conditions. At the other end of the alignment continuum, some crews were fragmented, with key team members at odds with each other –in a leadership vacuum. The leader needs to keep the team aligned.”– Dennis N. T. Perkins & Jillian B. Murphy
Strong Team Culture is the Keystone of a Successful Team – US Sailing
Lessons In Teamwork From The Treacherous Sydney To Hobart Ocean Race (fastcompany.com)
Flashback: The 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race tragedy (smh.com.au)