Navigating new waters: Inside the journey of the Jarhead Women's Team

The team left to right (top): Christina Medici, trimmer/pit; Emma Borg, co-helm/pit; Clara Farrugia, trimmer/pit; Gary Mercieca, skipper; Pippa Bartolo Parnis, bow/mast; Keith Diplock, co-skipper and navigator; Roberta Farrugia, trimmer/pit; (bottom): Chiara Scerri Herrera, bow/mast.

The Jarhead Women's Team is sailing into uncharted territory as they gear up for the 2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

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This is the first time the Jarhead Women's Team will compete in the Rolex Middle Sea Race. What has been the most significant challenge in preparing for such a prestigious event?

Claudio: Actually, the Jarhead Foundation has put forth an all-women's team in the past. This year's team will include six women and a male skipper and co-skipper.

I can't say that preparing this team was a challenge in itself but more a pleasant journey. A number of the girls did not come from a sailing background, so the first months were spent teaching the basics of sailing to those without experience; once the foundations were covered, we started building upon those. 

I am very proud of what this team has become, and I am sure many will excel in regattas for the years to come. Now, the buck lies with them to show us what they can do.

Your crew includes sailors with various levels of experience. How have you blended these different skill sets to create a competitive and cohesive team?

Gary: Through training and local racing, we figured out each team member's strengths and experience levels to ensure all the roles on the boat were covered throughout the race. Blending different skill sets has paired the more experienced sailors with those newer to offshore racing, creating a mentorship atmosphere. We've emphasised cross-training so everyone understands the various roles on the boat. This way, we can leverage individual strengths while ensuring everyone feels confident contributing under pressure.

What difficulties do you expect to face during the race, and how has the team prepared to overcome them?

Gary: We expect the main difficulties to come from the unpredictable weather patterns and the mental and physical toll of long periods at sea. The team has been training for a year, so we gained experience dealing with difficult conditions together. To prepare, we've worked on drills that simulate harsh conditions, like heavy winds and sudden shifts.

Team dynamics are critical in long races like this. How have you built trust and communication within the team, especially with members taking on different roles?

Keith: Building trust and communication within our team is essential. Through 9 months of focused training, we identify and address skill gaps while fostering respect and patience. Drills and practice races sharpen our techniques, and regular check-ins and crew events strengthen our bond. Together, we’ve created a supportive, family-like atmosphere onboard.

As trimmers, you play a crucial role in the boat's performance. How has your preparation equipped you to handle the pressure and technical demands of the race?

Christina: As trimmers, we're responsible for fine-tuning the sails to maximise speed, balance, and pointing. Our training involved months of competitive race practice in various conditions, from long periods of no wind, like in the Licata race, to sailing in forecasted squalls with gusts over 25+ knots. Part of our training involved learning every position to understand better how everything works—from rigging, hoisting, and flying the spinnaker on mast and bow, anticipating manoeuvres on pit and helming in both light and strong winds.  It's been a steep learning curve—demanding and sometimes exhausting—but that's what makes it so rewarding.

Clara: We've trained extensively in adjusting the sails under varying wind conditions, which requires a deep understanding of the boat's dynamics. I've had the opportunity to participate in several races, which has helped me develop the skills to handle high-pressure situations. These experiences have taught me to stay focused and adaptable when conditions are tricky. Additionally, our team has focused on building strong communication skills because efficient coordination is vital when trimming the sails, especially during critical moments.

The Middle Sea Race is known for unpredictable and harsh conditions. How have you prepared mentally and physically for such challenges in your position on the bow, especially as first-time participants?

Chiara:  I am an adrenaline junky by nature; I seek thrill wherever I go. My stamina and endurance are pretty high since I train in CrossFit and run at least five times weekly. I ran the Rome Marathon this year and flew down the next day to join the rest of the crew in Gozo to sail back for the Gozo regatta race.  In terms of mental preparedness, asking questions and watching videos helps. I also try to listen to educational podcasts to practise focus and productivity. Ultimately, team success boils down to communication, which we have been working on together so that we are all on the same page mentally and emotionally.

Pippa: (the youngest member of the girl's team, age 15). As a first-time participant, especially on the bow, I have learnt that safety is most important, and I must be careful. I have been trying my best to mentally prepare myself for the worst. This isn't easy, as I have little experience with extremely harsh conditions and have only been sailing keelboats for nine months. Strength is vital for sailing, especially for a physically active role like mine. To prepare my body for these conditions, I do regular exercises at home to strengthen myself to face the harsh conditions this race may face. Overall, I have faith in my team that we will all push our hardest to do well and care for one another.

Given the intensity of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and being a Jarhead veteran, having completed the MSR with the Jarhead boy team last year, how does the team stay motivated and focused during strenuous or prolonged moments at sea?

Emma: Having completed the Rolex Middle Sea Race with the Jarheads last year, I know firsthand how tough and prolonged sea moments can test physical and mental endurance. The strength of our camaraderie and trust in each other keeps me and the team motivated during these times. We each have our roles, and focusing on our tasks helps prevent mental fatigue while setting small milestones keeps us moving forward. From my experience, I've learned that challenges like sudden storms or windless lulls are temporary, and staying calm and focused is key. Personal motivation, whether to improve on past performance or prove something to myself, also plays a big part. Communication is essential, and honestly, sometimes a good laugh or joke can make all the difference in relieving tension and boosting morale. Through preparation, experience, and mental toughness, I've learned how to stay resilient when the race pushes us to our limits.

Looking back on your training journey, what advice would you give aspiring sailors, particularly those looking to compete in demanding races like the Rolex Middle Sea?

Emma: For aspiring sailors, I'd say embrace the learning curve and be patient with yourself—offshore racing demands technical skill, endurance, and teamwork. My advice is to immerse yourself in every opportunity to learn, race on different boats, train in varied conditions, and always be open to feedback from more experienced sailors. And, most importantly, enjoy the journey!

What other challenges have you experienced as a team, and how have you overcome them?

Christina: Staying focused and motivated when you're tired, hungry and missing your basic creature comforts can be tough, even for the more hardened sailors. We're no different. Getting rest when you can, shortening shift patterns, making a warm snack, or turning on some music has worked wonders to restore morale, concentration and performance.

When motivation starts to drop during training, reminding ourselves that we're a women's team competing in the gruelling offshore Middle Sea Race has also provided its own motivation. We've worked hard to rise to the challenge and want to prove to ourselves and those who believed in us that we can do this!

Clara: A personal challenge has been overcoming seasickness. I researched ways to reduce its effects and applied these techniques during training. Staying focused despite discomfort is tough, but preparation through research, medication, and exposure to different conditions has helped me tackle this issue head-on.

Claudio: What does the future hold for the Jarhead Foundation beyond the Middle Sea Race?

While we are all understandably excited about the upcoming Middle Sea Race, this is only a fragment of what the foundation represents. The Jarhead Foundation is primarily there to offer less fortunate youngsters an opportunity to enrol in something that may help them better their future. The young adults come to the foundation through various paths, mainly NGOs and other organisations that help troubled youths.

So, the foundation has always been catering to the school programme, i.e., inviting NGOs to bring their candidates. The intermediates are students from the school's programme who want to further their sailing knowledge. Last but not least, the advanced group is essentially the group we take racing.

The foundation has participated in all but one of the Royal Malta Yacht Club's race events this year.

This year, the foundation has also prepared a programme for Migrant sailors to learn sailing and put together the girls' team in parallel with its previous programmes.

The most rewarding aspect of working with this foundation is seeing the positive impact that our programmes have had on the individuals who attend them. I've seen firsthand the bettering of so many individuals who not only improved at sailing but mainly improved as people who now feel part of a community. This community never cared about these persons' race, gender, or religion but saw them as people.

There are many great plans for the near future, but they will be made public in the coming months.

I would like to thank the many people who stand behind the foundation. The support we get is huge! Finally, a big shout-out goes to our sponsors, Camilleri Marine, MMH, Pharma.mt, and NoceMuskata, who have given us lots of help throughout the year.

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