Perspectives from the Helm: The Journey of Two Skippers

 

Last year, 76-ft Zemphira racked up an impressive array of hardware, culminating in an impressive first-place overall SoT ranking for the CYCS 2023 season.

We connected with the yacht’s two skippers, Kirsty Morrison and Andrew Parente, to understand the magic behind the winning boat.

How did you first discover your love for sailing?

Kirsty: My father was an avid sailor. I grew up in London and when I was 8 years old he built me an Optimist dinghy in the spare bedroom. They were originally designed so they could be built out of 2 pieces of plywood. He forgot about getting it down the staircase so he had to take the bedroom window out and lower it out of the opening. I used to race it on a reservoir near Heathrow Airport. Entirely unglamorous, but it got me started.

Andrew: Sailing a sunfish around Third Beach in Middletown RI.

What is your experience and career path to becoming a skipper?

Kirsty: My career path is unusual as I came to professional sailing later in life. I worked as an Architect in London and Hong Kong. I was lucky to have grown up with a friend whose father had a 1910, gaff rigged, Nicholson 38’, LARRY. He was happy for two 18 year old girls to take her anywhere. We sailed her around the west coast of Ireland one summer and up to Scotland another. Those trips were a steep learning curve. After that, we both decided to do our Yachtmaster, which we passed the following year. I never intended for it to be a career but life sometimes has other ideas. My parents later retired onto their Whitby 42’ ketch which they kept in the Caribbean; I would come to visit them and I quickly learned my way around the Islands. Eventually, I took a sabbatical from my career in London and moved to a little island in the Grenadines. I hopped on a Sparkman Stephens schooner, PERCEPTION, and raced my first Antigua Classics in 2007. I was smitten; particularly with the locally built Carriacou Sloops. They are becoming an active class in Antigua as well as Carriacou. Several years later, I took one, called the Pink Lady, up to Antigua and raced with an all-female crew in pink bikinis. We didn’t win our class but we certainly won the most magazine covers! I never lived in the UK again after what was supposed to be a 3-month sabbatical. I now call Newport, RI home and I have run boats between New England and the Caribbean for close to 15 years.

Andrew: While attending URI I spent summers in Newport, RI working as a launch driver. Working in Newport provided the opportunity to network with skippers of larger sailboats. This exposure ignited a passion for sailing that led me to join the Tiedemann Collection, where I eventually had the privilege of captaining the classic 12-meter yacht, Gleam.

What do you love most about your job?

Andrew: Each day brings forth a unique set of tasks and new challenges. Whether it’s troubleshooting and fixing various systems on the boat or sailing in different conditions, the diversity of our daily experience makes our work both engaging and fulfilling.

Kirsty: There are so many things. I love that it keeps me outdoors and active. I love that it takes me to new places, many of which now feel like second homes. I love the challenge of planning and running ocean passages and the camaraderie that happens on board. I love the adrenaline rush of a start line and racing with crew who are so professional that no one shouts. I love the end of a yard period when all your hard work pays off and you have been part of a team breathing new life into and old boat.

What are the top three qualities that define a great sailboat?

Andrew: Balance and Stability, Performance, Craftsmanship

Kirsty: I don’t think a sailboat can be great without a great crew. The team is everything.

There are many crossovers between my two careers and a great boat, to me, is one which follows the Architect Louis Sullivan’s design principle that ‘Form follows function’. He coined the phrase in an essay he wrote in 1896, and it still leads modernist ideas today.

The most beautiful boats also happen to be fast. There is elegance in lines which are not developed for style but for speed. Less is certainly more. We worked very hard to adhere to those principles in the refit of Zemphira and I am proud of what we achieved.

What’s it like, as a woman, skippering a yacht in such a male-dominated arena?

Kirsty: I grew up with brothers and male cousins; my previous career as an Architect was also very male dominated. It has had its challenges in the past, but if you continue to do your job well, then no one can really argue with that. Having female friends and mentors in the industry is key for the days when the testosterone levels get too much.

Nothing validates my job more than hearing I have been some source of inspiration to other female sailors. I work with youth sailing when I can and the girls are always so keen to talk to me. Unfortunately I still feel like I have to tell them, ‘We still have to be better’, I usually follow that with, ‘but that’s ok, we can do that’.

What qualities and skills do you prioritize when selecting crew members?

Kirsty: As I have said, the team is everything, and people’s ability to work within a team is critical. There is no room for egos. I look for people who can work independently but also know when to ask for help. I want to be working alongside people who are also enjoying their job.

 Andrew: A strong work ethic, effective communication skills, willingness to learn, and well-rounded sailing capabilities.

What is the one spot you recommend everyone see in their lifetime?

Kirsty: I think the Bahamas are a remarkably hidden gem given how close they are to Florida. The water, the sealife, the beaches; in places like the Exumas, are unspoiled and unbeatable. Sometimes I wonder why people venture so far when there is paradise almost on their doorstep.

 Andrew: Abacos, Bahamas

What is the one piece of gear you can’t live without?

Andrew: I love wearing Capilene long-sleeve hooded shirts. They provide great sun protection, warmth, and quick drying.

Kirsty: Working with 14 guys for the last 2 summers I have learned more about gear than I ever knew I needed to! I can’t live without my Opinel knife and my Garmin watch; my tennis racquet also goes everywhere.

What makes a boat competitive in a race?

Andrew: A competitive race boat is a finely tuned machine, and you must always be refining systems and analyzing data to keep her competitive. You also need a skilled crew to execute all maneuvers during a race.

Kirsty: If we are talking about anything other than one design racing then primarily a good rating.

What’s next on the horizon for your career?

Kirsty: That is still to be determined. Of course I would love to run another program like Zemphira and get back on the Classic racing circuit. Not much beats it.

Andrew: My experience with Zemphira has been incredibly rewarding, I’m committed to maintaining her competitive edge through ongoing refinement. I believe that our collaborative efforts have not only contributed to her success on the racecourse but have also honed my skills in designing systems and managing projects effectively. I would welcome the opportunity to manage a new build or refit project for another spirt of tradition yacht.

How have the renovations on Zemphira improved its performance on the regatta circuit?

Kirsty: I never sailed Zemphira before the renovations started but I know the new keel was a huge improvement with both speed and sailing angles. It was hard to determine until we replaced the rig with a taller one the following year and then the whole design came together to make a real racing machine. The boat is a joy to sail and race. The helm is light, she is fast and responsive. We were able to compete better with the 12 meters but they still had us on the windward legs. I think another season of racing and gathering data and we would have got her going even better. We literally learned something every day we sailed her.

Andrew: These 4 improvements have made a tremendous improvement in performance:

1. Reduced Wetted Surface: The new appendages have contributed to reducing the wetted surface of Zemphira
2. Increased Power in Light Breeze: The new rig/sail plan has addressed the issue of lacking power in lighter breezes. This improvement allows Zemphira to maintain better performance in low wind ranges.
3. Enhanced Sail Controls: The introduction of a new hydraulic system has improved sail controls. This lead to better maneuverability and responsiveness during races, allowing the crew to optimize the sail settings.
4. Improved Deck Layout: The new deck layout has been designed to make sailing the boat more ergonomic for the crew and owner.

What do you love the most about running Zemphira?

Andrew: I love continuously refining her systems to keep her competitive on the racecourse. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful network of people that care about her success. I enjoy working with so many talented people to make sure we provide the best product to the owner and race team.

Kirsty: I love the team and the camaraderie and the immense amount I can learn from sailing with such professionals. I really loved watching guys from modern racing backgrounds coming aboard and looking a little unsure at this old classic, then once we got going on our first practice day they would be in love with the boat.

 What are your favorite regattas to attend with Zemphira?

Kirsty: Camden Classics is, of course, a highlight, as is Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. We also had a great time in Boothbay.

Newport is my home turf so it’s always fun to race there too, but Maine always has a little piece of my heart.

Andrew: I enjoy all the classic Maine events.

What are your thoughts for the future of classic & vintage yachts and owner participation in sailing regattas?

Andrew: The future of classic yachting, as well as owner participation in sailing regattas, is promising. Maintaining a balance between fun and fairness, along with ensuring continuity between events and the overall series, is crucial for the success of CYOA.

Kirsty: Owner participation is key. We need people with the inspiration, energy, and funds, to keep these boats running. There seems to be a strong interest and we need to keep these people engaged and participating. I hope the future is bright.

As long as we have interested yacht owners who like modern tech in boats that look old, do you think there’s a future for continued sailing of Spirit of Tradition designs? 

Andrew: I absolutely think there is a future for sailing Spirit of Tradition designs. The combination of classic aesthetics with modern advancements can attract yacht owners who appreciate both the traditional look and the benefits of modern technology.

Kirsty: Absolutely. If the technology is available I see no reason not to use it on older yachts and on Spirit of Tradition designs. There are some groundbreaking boats out there and I think they should be encouraged.

Do you think there’s a place for growing a vibrant Contemporary Design genre of sailboats and combining them into classic regatta events?

Andrew: Certainly. The integration of contemporary design sailboats into classic regatta events can add an exciting dimension to the classic yacht community. It allows for a fusion of tradition and innovation, attracting a diverse range of owners. The challenge is ensuring fair competition among boats of different designs. If the CYOA can continue to refine the CRF rating system to consider the unique characteristics of contemporary boats, it will contribute to a more inclusive and competitive environment.

Kirsty: At Camden Classics, we believe in “Big Tent” sailing. For many of the custom modern boats, we combined 2 divisions into a single class, making SoT and Contemporary the “Modern Tradition Class”, in efforts to keep newer modern boats racing together– do you think that other regattas should follow this example?

At Camden Classics, we believe in “Big Tent” sailing. For many of the custom modern boats, we combined 2 divisions into a single class, making SoT and Contemporary the “Modern Tradition Class”, in efforts to keep newer modern boats racing together– do you think that other regattas should follow this example?

Andrew: Yes, combining SoT and Contemporary boats seems to promote healthier competition among newer modern boats. It is important to have continuity between events, so it would be beneficial if other regattas followed this trend.

Kirsty: Personally I would like to see all regattas in the series have the same classes. It makes no sense to be racing an overall series and be sailing against different boats each weekend. It is frustrating to have so much of the post race discussion to be about ratings and classes rather than tactics, wind conditions and good racing.

I understand the complexities and there are many opinions to satisfy. It’s great to see the old and the new racing alongside each other, a true visual testament of progress and development.