Time To Go Racing
Before we look at assignments for specific maneuvers,
let’s review the keys to preparation and approaching
the racecourse. Assign responsibilities for what needs
to happen every time before leaving the dock, and
before and after each race. Also make sure the team
knows your racing goals each day.
When each team member knows their responsibilities
and you know that everything will be taken care, you
and the other team leaders can begin to focus on the
bigger picture—or whatever you think will make the
biggest dierence on a given race day.
Pre Dock-Out Responsibilities:
• Timing to leave the dock should be punctual to the
time you’ve established. This sets you up for a day
of being able to sail against other boats and not
being rushed to get sails up and ready to race.
• Make sure you have all racing documents, weather
forecast, VHF, hand-bearing compass and any
spares you need onboard.
• Check all instruments are switched on and working,
with fresh batteries and spares for the Velocitek.
• Food and water for the day and conditions should
be aboard.
• Sails and equipment are all onboard and ready to go.
Pre Race Responsibilities:
• Sail upwind on both tacks. If possible sail alongside
another boat or boats so you can get your
settings, modes, and also a feel for which tack has
the wind shear and needed twist, and on which it’s
easier to be to windward or leeward.
• Sail o the line and check headings and line feel so
you can build your game plan.
• Run through start-line checks including transits,
line bias, course bias and current.
• Pass out final food and drinks.
Post Race Responsibilities:
• Prep spinnaker to go up again; this means getting
the tack and head zippers properly set along with
making sure the string line is run and everything is
tidy for the next hoist.
• Tidy the boat and make any adjustments you need.
• Pass food and water on deck.
• Debrief the last race and make a plan for next race.
What worked last start/race? For you and/or the
winners?
• Put food away 5 minutes before warning signal.
• Get back into start—line checks, transits, line bias,
current.
Racing Goals:
Have a plan on how you want to approach the start,
where you want to start and for what reasons (line
bias, courses bias). I like to make a plan A and a
plan B, and have a third, back-up option in case the
start doesn’t work out well at all. Talk through your
approach: Will you be aggressive about winning an
end or conservative, starting away from an end with
the ability to sail straight? The more you work on this
and plan, the easier it is to execute the same routine
and get good starts. Remember, it’s all in your set-up,
starting at 3 minutes to go, that will be a huge part of
executing the start you want.
The Pre-Start & Start
Before the start, I recommend that you work on timed
runs and starting drills; this gets the whole team dialed
in and helps you appreciate the conditions. Practice
crossing the line, getting up to speed, and locking in
on the best mode; decide what your o-the-line target
speed needs to be. This can be quickly updated after
the start, based on boats around you. Also during
this time, gain a feel for how the conditions limit
your acceleration or if you are getting to the line too
fast; use this time to find your bottom boat speed
number that you don’t want to go below when killing
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