Ireland's Simon Johnson, pitman for the RC44 Black Star Sailing Team, gave a detailed look into his role during race seven of the 44Cup.
Johnson has raced in the RC44 class for 11 years and described the pit as a busy hub for runners, halyards, poles, and tack lines. “Communication is key,” he said. “Everyone needs to know the plan.”
He outlined pre-start checks, runner settings, and coordination with bow crew for mark roundings. The pit also handled sail changes, pole deployment, and sheet management to avoid tangles.
Johnson recalled a drop line jam that required him to cut it free mid-race. “These things happen — it’s how you recover that matters,” he said.
The team secured a race win despite minor manoeuvre issues. “You don’t carry passengers on these boats,” Johnson added. “Everyone is involved in every move.”
Check out the vid below
