Is Big Always Better?

Last month I had the opportunity to race at both ends of the sailing spectrum, from towering modern superyachts (80ft plus) to century-old 21ft wooden keelboats. Two very different experiences, but it got me thinking: which one actually offers the better racing? And more importantly,  what can both teach us about performance, in sport and in business?

We often say “size isn’t everything, but what does that really mean when it comes to competition, and how we define “better”?

The Nature of the Game

Superyacht racing is, by design, structured for safety and spectacle. Boats can’t come within 40 metres of one another. Starts are staggered, meaning, it’s not boat-on-boat, but boat-against-the-clock.

On the other hand, small keelboat racing is a bare-knuckle scrap. Dozens of boats, one start line, elbows out, the ultimate dogfight. It’s visceral. You’re inches from your competitors, every gust and wave matters, and results are earned directly on the water.

On face value, the small boat offers more adrenaline and immediacy. You feel more connected to the craft, the crew, the contest. But that doesn’t mean the big boat lacks intensity. We lost the final race, and the overall regatta,  by just nine seconds, after over three hours of racing. There’s no room for error. Margins matter.

Performance is Process, Not Hype

Viewed through the lens of performance psychology, both formats demand the same thing: process over outcome.

We often say athletes (and teams) should be process-focused and outcome-driven. You don’t improve by fixating on lifting the trophy, you improve by doing the things that make trophies possible: precision, communication, relentless execution. But in the heat of competition, emotion kicks in. We chase the win, not the work. We react, instead of refine.

Small fleet racing gives you a shot of motivation, the thrill of head-to-head battle. But it can drag focus away from your own performance. Superyacht racing removes that immediate rivalry, and in doing so, allows for deeper process discipline. Yet, without the pressure of a boat just off your stern, complacency can creep in. The same lapses in focus that cost us nine seconds, and the regatta, often stem from a false sense of comfort.

Business is No Different

In business, the same dynamic plays out.

Small organisations are like keelboats: scrappy, reactive, agile. Everyone’s wearing multiple hats, decisions are made fast, and you’re locked in competition daily. But this high-intensity environment can lead to fixation on others, what they’re doing, how they’re pricing, what you’re missing, instead of refining your own processes.

Larger organisations, like super-yachts, are more process-driven by necessity. Risk is higher. Roles are more specialised. Decisions take longer. But they have the luxury (and burden) of stepping back, planning deeply, and refining systems. However, in that comfort, teams can lose urgency, misjudge competition, and miss the marginal gains that define the difference between good and great.

So What’s the Answer?

It’s not about size. It’s about mindset.

• The closer you are to competition, the higher the motivation — but the harder it is to stay process-focused.

• The further you are from competition, the easier it is to focus — but the greater the risk of stagnation.

• Balancing those dynamics is the real performance edge. And that takes coaching, practice, and clarity.

Here are some fundamentals that apply whether you’re racing yachts or running a team:

1. 🧭 Know Your Outcome, But Master the Process: Define success clearly. Whether it’s winning, making the top 10, or hitting a delivery target, know it. But then obsess over how you’ll get there. Boat speed. Clean handling. Accuracy. Customer experience. Communication. Break it down. That’s the real work.

2. 📌 Make It Visible: Write it down. Stick it on the dashboard, on your desk, or the boom. Revisit it often. If it’s not front-of-mind, it’s gone.

3. 🤝 Lead Through Motivation and Focus: You stay focused by helping others do the same. Motivate your teammate, remind them of the process, redirect their energy. You’ll often find, in doing so, you reinforce your own. Do it with empathy, not ego, or you’ll create more problems than you solve.

Final Thought

You can only race the race you’re in.

Whether you’re fighting it out in a 15-footer or strategising from the deck of an 80-foot yacht, the key is the same: manage your mindset, respect the process, and never let the gap between you and the competition, be it near or far, define your performance.

So, is big always better?

Not necessarily.

But performance? That’s always a choice.