'Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst' An interview with Charleston Champ Anthony Kotoun

Photographic credits (from left to right): Priscilla Parker, Tim Wilkes Photography and Joy Dunigan for Charleston Race Week 2024 at Patriots Point

Anthony Kotoun, although a new Melges 24 owner and recently crowned 2024 Charleston Race Week Champion, he is by no means a stranger to the Class. After acquiring boat number 619, Anthony assembled a semi-experienced crew that had never sailed together. Then, he chose one of the toughest and most challenging venues in all of sailing and proceeded to put the Stepping Razor team to the test.

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USM24CA: As a Melges 24 brand new owner, right out of the gate — WOW — a major win at Charleston Race Week! Congratulations to you and your team Anthony! Knowing that you have sailed in this fleet before now, did you expect the Stepping Razor team to do so well in such a competitive fleet?
AK: Our mantra was “hope for the best, prepare for the worst." But, for sure, we had more against us than for us. We were a new team that had not sailed together, only 2 of the 5 crew had previous Melges 24 knowledge. We had an older boat that hadn't been sailed in 11 years and an owner that was not used to being an owner. 

But thankfully, we were supported by some good sponsors and got the boat in good shape. Practice racing was going well so in the back of our mind, we knew we had a chance. 

USM24CA: What do you think was the biggest key to you and your team's success in Charleston?
AK: Probably risk management, both in tactics and in being realistic about what we were capable of as a new team. That's what makes sailing in Charleston so great — you're never truly out of it, and there's often hope for a comeback. So, in risky situations, you can ease off the gas pedal and aim to stay close, waiting for the right moment to strike later in the race. Luck also plays a part sometimes. You just have to ensure you're prepared for when Lady Luck decides to pay a visit.

USM24CA: Tell us about your team — who are they, what positions did they hold on the boat and how did they contribute to the win?
AK: Our MVP was Beth Whitener, who had previous front end Melges 24 experience. She organized the crew behind her to efficiently hoist and drop sails, which we wouldn't have known how to do otherwise. We'd probably still be sailing past the leeward mark if she wasn't there.

I also brought along a friend from Newport, Aidan Naughton, who is an up-and-comer. He's one of the few college sailors diving into the big boat world with the right attitude of "how much can I learn here, and how can I help?" Mark Spearman handled trimming. He's from AUS/GBR with a touch of Miami. He did an excellent job of keeping us fast both upwind and downwind. This allowed our tactician, Nevin Snow, to focus on tactics. In Charleston, you can't afford to lose focus even for a moment due to its intricacies. Nevin did a great job of keeping us structured yet flexible enough to handle the emotional roller coaster that racing between two rivers in offshore winds can be.

USM24CA: Charleston is one of the toughest battlegrounds for sportboat racing. What advice would you give to other teams looking to get up to speed in complex venues?
AK: Racing in Charleston is all about risk-reward decision making, when to "stay in touch" with the group versus attempting to make a move and pass. Getting too anxious to make a move and it not paying off can instantly set you back by hundreds of feet. However, there are numerous passing opportunities that arise on this race course.

USM24CA: Why did you select the Melges 24 in 2024? I know you love very competitive, high performance sailboat racing, but was there something specific that said “the Melges 24 is the boat” and why?
AK: For me, the Melges 24 is the best boat of my generation. I have been lucky to have been dabbling in and out of the Class since the beginning. I got to sail Buzzards Bay Race Week (PHRF) in a candy apple, low double-digit Melges 24 in the early/mid-90s. Since then, I have been in and out of the Class and every time reminded how wonderful the boat is.

In 2016, the World Championship was in South Beach and Jason Carroll could not make the first few days of the regatta, so he very graciously allowed me to steer the first three days. We weren't winning after that, but we were in the top group, and since then, I've had an "I'd like to take another whack at that" feeling, so I got a boat.

USM24CA: Will you be racing at Nationals and Worlds (or other events) this year?
AK: We will compete at that Pacific Coast Championship and the Worlds. Might have to start a Gofundme to pull it off but you only live once!