headstay
/ˈhɛdˌsteɪ/
noun
- A cable or rope on a sailboat that runs from the top of the mast to the bow (front), supporting the mast and holding the jib sail.
- The sailor tightened the headstay to reduce the mast's backward bend.
- A broken headstay can cause the mast to fall during a storm.
- Before racing, they checked the tension on the headstay.