An unlikely match, the two were thrown together on a boat that was purchased only months before. On the delivery to New York from Europe, the mast broke; the two sailors wound up waiting until the start of the race to work together as a double-handed team.

They proceeded to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a 60-foot monohull, one of five boats in the competition.

“We wound up racing hundreds of 15-minute races all the way across, with each one putting more pressure on us,” Ribes said.

Conditions in the New York to Barcelona Race included drifting, 40-knot winds and breaking waves. Only three of the five starters finished the race.

The Ocean Masters founder, Sir Keith Mills, authorized a reporter to chronicle the race from aboard the boats. Only three of the five participating boats agreed to offer a spot.