Sailing the Course

1. Sailing the Course Dave Beckett Fleet Captain Flying Scot Fleet 203

2. Bottom Line Up FrontKeys 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Strategy Quickest way around the course absent other boats

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

8. 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 2015 LNYC Fall 48 Fleet Splits at 2015 ACC

9. 2015 Spring II Day 2 Wind Current Sweet Spot

10. 2015 Spring II Day 3 – Race 1 Wind Current Sweet Spot

11. 2015 Spring II Day 3 – Race 3 Wind Current Sweet Spot

12. 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

13. Tactics Coping with other boats while executing your strategy

14. 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

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

16. Anticipate – Plan AheadEnvironment, Other Boats – Other Fleets Tacking Now Holding Course

17. Start Plan and Execute

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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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

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

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

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

27. Windward Leg Clear Lanes – Sail Fast

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

29. Windward Mark Be Conservative

30. Windward Mark • Anatomy of “The Zone” • Layline • 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

31. 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

32. Negotiating a Crowded Windward Mark

33. Downwind Rhumb Line vs Speed

34. Down Wind Boat efficiency = Speed 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

35. Leeward Mark Avoid the Yard Sale

36. Leeward Mark Approach 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?

37. Finishing Finish at an End of the Line

38. Determine Favored End and Finish There Avoid finishing at the middle

39. Finishing • Upwind • 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,)

40. Questions