For the second year in a row, Modern Sailing has entered a team to compete in the Rolex Big Boat Series!
San Francisco Bay is renowned as a premier venue for racing, and the Rolex Big Boat Series stands as one of its most venerated annual regattas, drawing elite sailors from around the globe. Modern Sailing has provided a path for members who are active in our Racing Program to race alongside the world's top competitors in this prestigious event.
The team has raced and practiced together aboard J/88 Fly, owned by Tom Richman, who will be helmsman for the RBBS. Unfortunately, Fly recently suffered a broken rudder, but Tom expects the new rudder to arrive in time to splash for the J/88 races. If a delay of repairs is encountered, the team will race J/99 Mymble on September 12 to 15.
The Rolex Big Boat Series crew were selected by our Racing Program leaders based on their dedication to Tiers 2 and 3 racing and their overall contributions to the Modern Sailing Racing Program.
The Team
The crew will be led again this year by Captain Katie Cornetta, a Modern Sailing racing coach and an experienced professional sailor. As a member of high-performance race teams in countless races including several past Rolex Big Boat Series, this is the second year that Katie will expertly lead the Modern Sailing RBBS team in an exciting competitive experience.
Pictured from left to right: Captain Katie Cornetta, Barbara Briner, Tim Kordas, Tom Richman.
Lily Bragg - Bow / Pit
"I started sailing with Modern last year and I went into the whole racing thing with a heap of trepidation... the thought of screaming skippers kept me firmly on my heels. I dipped my toes in as an alternate with Modern's Spring series. When someone had to back out, I had this great opportunity to take on the role of Bow with a woman skipper(!) and a great crew. And get this: Nobody screamed!
"Jumping into the deep end, I signed up for the Summer Series to race in the role of Pit. Here's the thing about 'the deep end' with Modern's Performance Race Program: while it may be the famous San Francisco Bay, the instructors make it feel like a kiddie pool. Katie Cornetta and Mark Jordan are fantastic teachers and they'll repeat and reframe a procedure or concept over and over and over again until you get it.
"In the early days of March, I was an absolute disaster as Bow person. Be prepared for some serious cringe:
- In setting up the kite, I wove the spin sheets through life lines *and* for an outside gybe.
- In the leeward douse, I shoved the kite over and under the jib sheets, not once but multiple times.
- In dousing the kite, 98% chance that I'd forget to clear the halyard from the keeper on the mast.
- Crossing the bow quickly in a tack... getting trapped on the low side.
"I still dabble in setting for an unintentional outside gybe but staying focused on a single position with a trusted crew and patient instructors definitely minimizes the overwhelm of a race start sequence and then flying a kite.
"Here's the takeaway:
"In each of my 'failures', I created more work for myself and the team. Making more work for me is one thing, but more work for the team... UGH. I will say: it's a great motivator to stay focused and learn faster. And in spite of all my face plants, I've had the pleasure of sailing with wonderful teammates who are ready to help you shake it off and get ready for the next set.
"Look at me now, I'm racing in Big Boat and depending on the day, I'll race as Bow or Pit. Never did I ever think that would happen this year. If you're on the fence about joining the Racing Team next year, I'd say hop on board and let's go have some fun!"
Lily Bragg (right) pictured with Barbara Briner (left).
Barbara Briner - Headsail Trimmer
"I'm thrilled to be part of the J/88 Fly crew for the second year, competing in the Rolex Big Boat race with Tom Richman and Katie Cornetta.
"When I think about the Modern Sailing Club community, I'm blown away by the top-notch coaching from great mentors like Katie, and the strong bond we've formed as a crew.
"I've had the privilege of sailing with other enthusiastic Modern members who are just as passionate about the thrill of precision sailing. It's all about following that perfect moment of unison, and I can't wait for the magic to come alive once again!"
Tom Richman - Helm and Owner of Fly
"The Rolex Big Boat Series is the most awesome thing you can do without leaving your body. Last year, when we crossed the finish line at the end of the last race on the last day, I said to the team, 'I’m exhausted, I’m tired, I want to go home - but I don’t want this to end!'
"Props to Katie! As a sailor and a racing coach, she is the perfect combination of competitive and compassionate, nerdy and philosophical. Sailing in 30 knots of wind, spinnaker flying, always riding on the edge of catastrophe (and this is what makes racing so exhilarating!) - no matter what’s going on, Katie is never flustered and is super cool the whole time. She is really is a master at sailing, not just when it comes to skill, but also when it comes to calm.
"I'm also grateful to Leigh and everyone at Modern who make all of this possible. It's really great to have a boat that's part of a professionally-managed fleet. When Fly's rudder broke recently, the Modern team got to work coordinating with vendors to get a new rudder fabricated and shipped here as quickly as possible. Even if the rudder is not here in time for the Rolex Big Boat Series, we have access to another boat (Mymble) as a backup and the race will go on. I can't imagine if I were a boat owner trying to go it on my own. With the broken rudder, the 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series would have been over for our team before it started. Thank you to Leigh and the professional Fleet Maintenance crew at Modern Sailing!
"Our team has been racing together and practicing since March. We have a lot of time on the water together in preparation for the Rolex Big Boat Series, so I'm excited to find out how we will perform this year."
Pictured from left to right: Tom Richman (yellow hat), Tim Kordas, Camille Moussette (2023 RBBS teammates). Photo by John Erickson.
Tim Kordas, Mainsail Trimmer
"The plan is to be main trimmer with Team Fly again this year. Given the updates the boat has had since our last RBBS and our continued practice together, I'm hoping we'll move up the standings this year. The J/88 fleet is competitive enough that we'll have to do some good sailing!"
Rik Williams - Alternate
"I've enjoyed racing with Modern Sailing from time to time over the years, but it was the Spring Performance Series that got me seriously hooked. The J/88 is an incredible boat -- you can really feel the response to every adjustment of each sail control -- and racing it with a consistent team and expert coaching was a fantastic experience. I'm looking forward to taking it to the next level with the Big Boat Series!
"I'll be racing Saturday and Sunday, and on-call Thursday and Friday. I don't know what my position will be yet; most of my experience is on main, pit, and mast, but I'm excited to fill in wherever I'm needed!"
Ron Clark, Bow
"Thanks to Katie Cornetta's individualized coaching, effective teaching style, and deep racing experience, this long-standing dream has been made a reality for the six of us participating in this year's Rolex Big Boat Series. If you have even the slightest curiosity about racing the Bay, do yourself a favor and come racing with Modern Sailing!"
Photo by John Erikson
Does the idea of racing appeal to you? Yes, it's exhilarating - and one of the best ways to build your sailing skills fast! Learn More about Modern Sailing's Racing Program.
