turning corners

OK, so let's assume were all at the same pace in a straight line.

The biggest difference between 1st and 10th is turning corners, being tacking, gybing and mark roundings. All these take time and Practice to improve and you have to make a conscious effort to work on them. Even if it's getting on the water an hour before the start of a race.

You should be at a point where you're not concerned with an extra tack or gybe especially if it means catching a shift.

Tacking

When I practice tacking I’ll start slow in whatever breeze is blowing, by slow I mean going through tacks in slow motion. I’m focusing on minimal movements through a tack, i.e.

• How I set up, rope placement, position (often back corner).

• How i come in off trap, (often out of control, but done it enough to enjoy the chaos)

• How i cross the boat and where ropes are as i cross, ( this is a big one, as we all get tangled up from time to time and i've found where i through the main sheet to set up can be the difference.)

• Where I finish on the other side of the boat,

• What the sail is doing as you start and finish the tack.

If you work on these it’ll help create smooth fast tacking, which promotes confidence to take advantage of a shift.

Gybing

Get good at it, don't be afraid to gybe, done right you can gain ground through a gybe. Again practice in slow motion, in fact as i think about a gybe can often be faster and smoother in slow mo.

The same principles apply as tacking, but you might consider some different things, such as try to gybe on a wave, while on the wave slow the gybe down, make the most of the extra downwind angle, bring the sail across while surfing change sides while surfing, as you come off the wave know where your fastest wind angle is and get there as quick as you can…. Drive the boat.

Mark Rounding

Same as both above again.

Prepare.

• Get boards up or down before the rounding if you can.

• Downhaul off before or half on before the downwind gate.

• Try to pick early which side is favored and have the plan in mind of at least your first quarter of the next leg. But don't be afraid to change with the wind.

• In traffic, make clean air a priority, maybe make an early tack or gybe part of the plan, but make sure you have speed for the maneuver.