Sailing the Course Dave Beckett Fleet Captain Flying Scot Fleet 203

Bottom Line Up Front Keys to Success Prepare Start clean Don’t be greedy – Sail the boat flat and don’t pinch Don’t foul others Avoid drama at gatherings (mark roundings) Learn from mistakes

Preparation – On Shore Read and understand NOR and Sailing Instructions Review Racing Rules Check wind and weather Check tide and current Check boat and rigging Pay attention at competitors’ meeting

Homework – On the Water Arrive at race area early: 30-60 minutes Identify location of starting line and all marks (Anatomy of the course) Sail to/toward the windward mark collecting data Sail both tacks Sail both sides of the course Round all marks if time permits* Be back in starting area for your warning signal

Homework Critical Information Wind direction Favored tack Favored side of course Favored end of the line Current effects At the start At the windward mark Is it a factor in determining favored side of course? Geographic effects

Strategy Quickest way around the course absent other boats

Strategy Considerations Course Layout Wind Current Geography Dynamic vs Static Finding the sweet spot

Diagnosing the Course Pick a Side Which tack points closer to the mark? Where’s the wind? Ok to follow the leader when in doubt 2015 ACC Fleet Splits at 2015 ACC 2015 LNYC Fall 48

2015 Spring II Day 2 Wind Current Sweet Spot

2015 Spring II Day 3 – Race 1 Wind Current Sweet Spot

2015 Spring II Day 3 – Race 3 Wind Current Sweet Spot

Lagoon Sailing Strategy 2016 Spring Series I & II April 17 & 24 May 1 Light Southeast Winds Left Side of Couse Favored Shoals Dead Area Wind Keel boat touched bottom at low water on 24 Apr

Tactics Coping with other boats while executing your strategy

Find Clear Lanes Plan ahead Look for clear air Use tactics to execute your strategy Foot off – sail fast 2015 ACC 2015 LNYC Fall 48

Backwind Effects In a large fleet you can’t always avoid Plan ahead Try to minimize

Anticipate – Plan Ahead Environment, Other Boats – Other Fleets Tacking Now Holding Course

Start Plan and Execute

A Good Start is Critical You don’t win a race at the start, but you can lose a race at the start.

A Good Start Clear Air Full Speed On Time Room to Tack (if needed)

A Bad Start Foul Air Slow Speed Late – Second Row Forced to Tack

Starting – Make a Plan Anatomy of the starting area Factor in your homework data Timing – timed runs Picking a place on the line (left, middle, left) Avoid the crowd if possible

Starting – Execute the Plan Approach (Port/Starboard tack) Speed – slow/fast Angle – shallow/steep Watch out for changing environment Current Wind shift Anchor line RC boat lee Barging – bargers Other boats – especially to leeward and starboard tackers When the wheels come off – Bailing out – Alternate plan

Confidence and Decisiveness are Critical Sticking with a good plan – Here comes The Kitchen Sink II and we should tack right now as planned…

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda But I took the “safe” and easy tack behind him and now we are relegated to a second row start.

The Result He’s on top of us all the way up the windward leg

Learn From Mistakes – Next Regatta Got it Right Aggressively tacked on lee bow and won the pin – nice start

Windward Leg Clear Lanes – Sail Fast

Windward Leg Objectives Find clear lanes Sail fast Avoid entanglements Avoid mistakes Stay in contact Be conservative 2015 LNYC Fall 48

Windward Mark Be Conservative

Windward Mark Anatomy of “The Zone” Layline Other boats Factors affecting location Approach and set up (hazards of getting to layline too early or too late) Other boats Mark room Tacking in the zone Anticipating next leg Determine favored jibe Spinnaker set

Windward Mark Rounding Think Ahead Play it Safe Call the Layline Don’t Foul Don’t Hit the Mark Don’t Get Pinned Short of Layline Windward Mark 2015 ACC

Negotiating a Crowded Windward Mark

Downwind Rhumb Line vs Speed

Down Wind Boat efficiency = Speed Eye to weather- clear air Minimize crew movement and rudder drag Clean jibes – keep spinnaker filled; smooth is better than fast Look for pressure Eye to weather- clear air Boats coming down Puffs and wind shifts coming down Anticipate approach to next mark Sail the long jibe first Starboard tack has right of way Work for inside overlap Anticipate next leg Observe wind Observe leaders on next leg

Leeward Mark Avoid the Yard Sale

Leeward Mark Approach Managing Traffic at the Mark Anticipate next leg Spinnaker stowed at 3 BL zone Ready for beat Goal – round inside or alone Managing Traffic at the Mark Port/Starboard tack boats Overlap considerations Giving room Slowing down Anticipate next leg Tack onto Starboard/Continue on Port? Favored side Traffic Who do you need to cover or catch up to?

Finishing Finish at an End of the Line

Determine Favored End and Finish There Avoid finishing at the middle

Finishing Upwind Downwind Notify RC if you intend to file a protest Favored end: opposite of favored end at start if no shift (caution) Shoot the line (head up) to finish sooner (perpendicular) Clear the starting area ASAP – don’t interfere with other boats or wind Downwind Favored end: same as favored end at start if no shift Head down to finish sooner (perpendicular) Notify RC if you intend to file a protest Prepare for next race (re-rig, hydrate, eat,)

Questions