Start/first leg
GO FAST IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
We all know it's crucial to get a good start for a good race. But I look further into this and combine the start and first leg as the same. My goal is not to win but just be in the mix/ top bunch at the top mark.
You don't have to Win the Start
Make a plan, pre-start sail at least halfway up the leg and see what the wind is doing, work out which side of the course is favoured, quite often it's 50/50.
Find a favoured end, then consider which side of the course you want to go, I'm happy to start at the unfavoured end of the line if it means I can get where I want to go first.
Stay Clean
Know the fleet, there are guys who point high, guys that point low, guys that make mistakes.
If you don’t have confidence on the start but know who does what you can use this to anticipate where and how to find clean air/ stay clean.
It's fun, I get nervous as hell but it's often my favorite part of the race. Have fun with the gang, tell’em where to go, but know the rules and enjoy a beer with that prick at the end of the day.
Get boat speed fast, still something I'm working on and jealous of those that get the jump. (If someone can give me a tip/coaching on this please do)
It is possible to stuff the start and still end up ok at the top mark.
How?
Don't necessarily follow the fleet, if you are in bad air get out of it then come back if you think they're heading to the correct side of the course.
That being said, tacking out is not always the best option, sometimes going low and fast to get to a breeze or tide is best, consider options.
Know not everyone got off clean.
Sail fast and clean, sounds obvious, but there are varying speeds in a bunch heading in the same direction.
Relax, focus on feeling your boat.
If you're so far behind you can watch the boats in front for clues on shifts. I've been there, it aint a good spot to be but sometimes you can make huge gains just don't expect to win.
If you’re in the pack and looking at lay lines, tack early go first, so your not caught up in bad air for half a course or have to over lay to stay clean.
Upwind
Clean air
Keep Hull up
Stay clean
Go fast
Know your lay lines
If you're in the pack and looking at lay lines, tack early go first, so you're not caught up in bad air for half a course or have to overlay to stay clean.
Downwind
This is where the real gains are made. Shhh!
A lot of people tend to sail high to keep clean air and get in a fight with a boat trying to sail over the top of them. Don’t! Let the stupid chap go.
Gybe away, if done right you can do it on a wave and gain ground. If not look for a gust and take it, gybe back if you have to but don't get caught in a downwind fight.
Win the war not the battle.
Drive the boat to the wind and the waves. On our boats a straight line is not always fast, there's a huge combination of staying clean, sail trim, boat trim, driving the boat and picking shifts. It's a real art but get it right and you're hard to beat.