Sailing To Win

[brettbowden]

TRIM FOR VARYING WIND AND SEA CONDITIONS

Trim for varying Wind and Sea Conditions When it comes to boat speed, most sailors know their trim settings in flat water and a steady breeze. The real difference between a good sailor and a great one is the ability to adapt — making constant, subtle gear changes as the wind and sea conditions evolve. Sailing isn’t static; neither should your setup be. SAILING TO WIN BOOK & BONUSES Understanding Why Gear Changes Matter Think of your boat as a finely tuned machine. Every sail control, every rig adjustment, and every bit of crew movement changes how it behaves. In light air, you’re searching for power and flow; in heavy air, you’re controlling heel and keeping balance. The aim is to keep the boat in the groove — always driving, never stalling, and never fighting the helm. Making good gear changes is not about reacting to problems; it’s about anticipating them. If you wait until you’re overpowered or wallowing in waves, you’ve already given away speed. Great sailors are always half a step ahead, trimming or tuning in anticipation of what’s coming next. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Reading the Wind and Sea Before making any adjustments, start by observing: - Wind strength: Is the breeze building, or are you in a lull? Are the gusts sharp or gradual? - Sea state: Are the waves long and rolling or short and steep? Longer waves let you steer more smoothly, while short chop demands extra power and careful balance. - Boat feedback: Your helm and sails will tell you everything. If you feel weather helm (when the tiller pulls against you) or you’re constantly feathering up, it’s time to depower. If the boat feels sluggish or the telltales droop, you need more power. A Real Example: Adjusting Mid-Race A few years ago, during a blustery state championship, I watched a top crew in the fleet make the most disciplined gear changes I’ve ever seen. The race started in 12 knots but quickly built to 18 with a sharp chop. Half the fleet left their setup from the first beat — vang on hard, outhaul tight — and as the breeze increased, they struggled. The fast team, on the other hand, made small changes constantly. They eased the outhaul slightly for the first set of waves, then added more Cunningham as the wind filled. When a lull hit mid-leg, they eased the vang just enough to power up again. The result? They weren’t just faster — they were smoother. The boat stayed balanced, the crew’s rhythm never broke, and they rounded every mark in control. That’s what great gear changing looks like — proactive, not reactive. FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPS Key Adjustments to Master Increasing Breeze - Flatten the mainsail: tighten the outhaul and Cunningham to open the leech and reduce heel. - Tighten rig tension if adjustable; this controls mast bend and headsail shape. - Ease the traveller slightly to keep balance without pointing too high. - Shift crew weight to windward earlier than you think — balance is speed. Lighter Winds or Flat Water - Ease the outhaul to add depth and power. - Reduce Cunningham to allow the sail’s draft to move aft for more acceleration. - Keep the vang just firm enough to maintain leech tension without closing the top of the main. - Move crew weight forward to reduce drag and keep the boat’s transom clear of the water. Choppy Seas - Don’t depower too much — you’ll need a fuller sail to punch through waves. - Ease the sheets slightly to maintain flow and drive. - Focus on smooth steering — aim to guide the boat over the waves rather than through them. - Use heel to your advantage; a gentle, consistent heel helps the boat track and absorb chop. Fine-Tuning Your Feel No two days are the same. The most effective sailors are constantly feeling how the boat responds. Is the pressure on the helm consistent? Is the boat accelerating cleanly out of tacks? Small adjustments every few minutes — even a quarter-turn on the vang or a slight tweak on the traveller — keep you tuned in and connected. A simple mental trick: check three things constantly — Boat speed, sail shape and helm feel. If any of them change, it’s time to change gears. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Common Mistakes - Changing too late: If you’re reacting to problems rather than preventing them, you’re behind the game. - Over-adjusting: Big, sudden changes upset balance. Think small and frequent. - Ignoring sea state: Many sailors tune for wind alone, but waves often have a bigger impact on speed. - Neglecting feedback: If the boat feels sticky, don’t blame the conditions — make a change. Action Conclusion: Be Proactive, Not Reactive On the water this week, challenge yourself to stay ahead of the conditions. Don’t wait for the breeze to shift or the waves to slow you down — adjust early and often. Every gear change is an experiment that teaches you more about your boat. When the conditions change, act decisively: ease, tighten, move, or trim — then feel the difference. That’s where your real speed comes from. Consistent, confident gear changing turns ordinary sailors into adaptable racers who thrive no matter what the course throws at them. So next time you’re out there, make “anticipate and adjust” your mantra. Your boat — and your results — will thank you.

[brettbowden]

TRIM FOR VARYING WIND AND SEA CONDITIONS

Trim for varying Wind and Sea Conditions When it comes to boat speed, most sailors know their trim settings in flat water and a steady breeze. The real difference between a good sailor and a great one is the ability to adapt — making constant, subtle gear changes as the wind and sea conditions evolve. Sailing isn’t static; neither should your setup be. SAILING TO WIN BOOK & BONUSES Understanding Why Gear Changes Matter Think of your boat as a finely tuned machine. Every sail control, every rig adjustment, and every bit of crew movement changes how it behaves. In light air, you’re searching for power and flow; in heavy air, you’re controlling heel and keeping balance. The aim is to keep the boat in the groove — always driving, never stalling, and never fighting the helm. Making good gear changes is not about reacting to problems; it’s about anticipating them. If you wait until you’re overpowered or wallowing in waves, you’ve already given away speed. Great sailors are always half a step ahead, trimming or tuning in anticipation of what’s coming next. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Reading the Wind and Sea Before making any adjustments, start by observing: - Wind strength: Is the breeze building, or are you in a lull? Are the gusts sharp or gradual? - Sea state: Are the waves long and rolling or short and steep? Longer waves let you steer more smoothly, while short chop demands extra power and careful balance. - Boat feedback: Your helm and sails will tell you everything. If you feel weather helm (when the tiller pulls against you) or you’re constantly feathering up, it’s time to depower. If the boat feels sluggish or the telltales droop, you need more power. A Real Example: Adjusting Mid-Race A few years ago, during a blustery state championship, I watched a top crew in the fleet make the most disciplined gear changes I’ve ever seen. The race started in 12 knots but quickly built to 18 with a sharp chop. Half the fleet left their setup from the first beat — vang on hard, outhaul tight — and as the breeze increased, they struggled. The fast team, on the other hand, made small changes constantly. They eased the outhaul slightly for the first set of waves, then added more Cunningham as the wind filled. When a lull hit mid-leg, they eased the vang just enough to power up again. The result? They weren’t just faster — they were smoother. The boat stayed balanced, the crew’s rhythm never broke, and they rounded every mark in control. That’s what great gear changing looks like — proactive, not reactive. FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPS Key Adjustments to Master Increasing Breeze - Flatten the mainsail: tighten the outhaul and Cunningham to open the leech and reduce heel. - Tighten rig tension if adjustable; this controls mast bend and headsail shape. - Ease the traveller slightly to keep balance without pointing too high. - Shift crew weight to windward earlier than you think — balance is speed. Lighter Winds or Flat Water - Ease the outhaul to add depth and power. - Reduce Cunningham to allow the sail’s draft to move aft for more acceleration. - Keep the vang just firm enough to maintain leech tension without closing the top of the main. - Move crew weight forward to reduce drag and keep the boat’s transom clear of the water. Choppy Seas - Don’t depower too much — you’ll need a fuller sail to punch through waves. - Ease the sheets slightly to maintain flow and drive. - Focus on smooth steering — aim to guide the boat over the waves rather than through them. - Use heel to your advantage; a gentle, consistent heel helps the boat track and absorb chop. Fine-Tuning Your Feel No two days are the same. The most effective sailors are constantly feeling how the boat responds. Is the pressure on the helm consistent? Is the boat accelerating cleanly out of tacks? Small adjustments every few minutes — even a quarter-turn on the vang or a slight tweak on the traveller — keep you tuned in and connected. A simple mental trick: check three things constantly — Boat speed, sail shape and helm feel. If any of them change, it’s time to change gears. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Common Mistakes - Changing too late: If you’re reacting to problems rather than preventing them, you’re behind the game. - Over-adjusting: Big, sudden changes upset balance. Think small and frequent. - Ignoring sea state: Many sailors tune for wind alone, but waves often have a bigger impact on speed. - Neglecting feedback: If the boat feels sticky, don’t blame the conditions — make a change. Action Conclusion: Be Proactive, Not Reactive On the water this week, challenge yourself to stay ahead of the conditions. Don’t wait for the breeze to shift or the waves to slow you down — adjust early and often. Every gear change is an experiment that teaches you more about your boat. When the conditions change, act decisively: ease, tighten, move, or trim — then feel the difference. That’s where your real speed comes from. Consistent, confident gear changing turns ordinary sailors into adaptable racers who thrive no matter what the course throws at them. So next time you’re out there, make “anticipate and adjust” your mantra. Your boat — and your results — will thank you. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

CHANGING GEARS

Changing gears and knowing when and how is essential if you want to compete at the pointy end of the fleet. How many times have you crossed the finish line in 5 knots, having started in 15-20 knots and realised that your rig and boat are still at their original settings? Constantly think about settings as the breeze fluctuates. I think most of us are good at adjusting our settings and rig tensions as the breeze increases, but conversely are less diligent as the breeze drops. Powering up is essential as the wind velocity drops, and this is where big gains can be made against the rest of the fleet. Being slow to react to a change in conditions can be really costly. If you suddenly find you are going slow, don’t have the height of the boats around you, or that lane you had has now disappeared, think about why. You are on the wrong tack and are frantically searching for another lane to tack into. The reason you are in this predicament is that while you were preoccupied trying to find a better lane, you hadn't changed gear. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Why the best sailors constantly win The best sailors can change gear effortlessly. While they are steering the boat fast, they can reach in and pull a little Vang or Cunningham on, or move the centreboard up or down without affecting boatspeed. Most of us are reluctant to reach in to adjust controls and change gear, as our steering suffers. This results in the boat heading up or down, losing speed, while our more competent competitors slowly ease away. Practising making adjustments on the fly during training sessions is essential to improve that aspect of your racing. Crews must continually communicate about the feel as adjustments are made. Ensure that you give the boat and team time to settle in to confirm that the adjustment has been effective. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES   Understand what effect each control has  Understand what each of the controls on your boat does and the effect they have on the sail shape and trim. Depending on the class and type of boat you sail, some controls will be more effective than others at depowering or powering up the rig. Most classes have a sailmaker's guide on the fastest settings for your type of boat. Use these as a guide or starting point. In many cases, the guide is generic and doesn't take into account your team's weight, the brand of mast you are using (to name a few) or the sea conditions you are encountering on the day. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Sailing at different venues  Different venues with their associated conditions require different amounts of gear changing. Speak with the locals at a new venue to see what to expect and plan accordingly. If the information is sparse and it is a multi-day regatta, arrive a day or so early and get out on the course to learn the conditions and plan accordingly. Lake sailing is likely to be gusty with a large variation in wind velocity, requiring regular adjustment of the controls. If you are sailing at a venue with large headlands or high topography on one side of the course, plan for gusts and shifts. Start by prioritising a couple of key controls to adjust. Often, it’s the Vang, Cunningham and outhaul, especially in a single hander like a Laser or Aero. Work out what gives you the biggest "bang for your buck" in your boat and start with those. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Conclusion Don't try to gear change for every gust and lull. Not only will you quickly become exhausted, but you’ll be so busy with your head in the boat that you will lose sight of the bigger picture strategy. The length of the gust or lull should determine whether to change gear or not. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

CHANGING GEARS

Changing gears and knowing when and how is essential if you want to compete at the pointy end of the fleet. How many times have you crossed the finish line in 5 knots, having started in 15-20 knots and realised that your rig and boat are still at their original settings? Constantly think about settings as the breeze fluctuates. I think most of us are good at adjusting our settings and rig tensions as the breeze increases, but conversely are less diligent as the breeze drops. Powering up is essential as the wind velocity drops, and this is where big gains can be made against the rest of the fleet. Being slow to react to a change in conditions can be really costly. If you suddenly find you are going slow, don’t have the height of the boats around you, or that lane you had has now disappeared, think about why. You are on the wrong tack and are frantically searching for another lane to tack into. The reason you are in this predicament is that while you were preoccupied trying to find a better lane, you hadn't changed gear. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Why the best sailors constantly win The best sailors can change gear effortlessly. While they are steering the boat fast, they can reach in and pull a little Vang or Cunningham on, or move the centreboard up or down without affecting boatspeed. Most of us are reluctant to reach in to adjust controls and change gear, as our steering suffers. This results in the boat heading up or down, losing speed, while our more competent competitors slowly ease away. Practising making adjustments on the fly during training sessions is essential to improve that aspect of your racing. Crews must continually communicate about the feel as adjustments are made. Ensure that you give the boat and team time to settle in to confirm that the adjustment has been effective. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES   Understand what effect each control has  Understand what each of the controls on your boat does and the effect they have on the sail shape and trim. Depending on the class and type of boat you sail, some controls will be more effective than others at depowering or powering up the rig. Most classes have a sailmaker's guide on the fastest settings for your type of boat. Use these as a guide or starting point. In many cases, the guide is generic and doesn't take into account your team's weight, the brand of mast you are using (to name a few) or the sea conditions you are encountering on the day. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Sailing at different venues  Different venues with their associated conditions require different amounts of gear changing. Speak with the locals at a new venue to see what to expect and plan accordingly. If the information is sparse and it is a multi-day regatta, arrive a day or so early and get out on the course to learn the conditions and plan accordingly. Lake sailing is likely to be gusty with a large variation in wind velocity, requiring regular adjustment of the controls. If you are sailing at a venue with large headlands or high topography on one side of the course, plan for gusts and shifts. Start by prioritising a couple of key controls to adjust. Often, it’s the Vang, Cunningham and outhaul, especially in a singlehander like a Laser or Aero. Work out what gives you the biggest "bang for your buck" in your boat and start with those. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Conclusion Don't try to gear change for every gust and lull. Not only will you quickly become exhausted, but you’ll be so busy with your head in the boat that you will lose sight of the bigger picture strategy. The length of the gust or lull should determine whether to change gear or not. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

CHANGING GEARS

Changing gears and knowing when and how is essential if you want to compete at the pointy end of the fleet. How many times have you crossed the finish line in 5 knots, having started in 15-20 knots and realised that your rig and boat are still at their original settings? Constantly think about settings as the breeze fluctuates. I think most of us are good at adjusting our settings and rig tensions as the breeze increases, but conversely are less diligent as the breeze drops. Powering up is essential as the wind velocity drops, and this is where big gains can be made against the rest of the fleet. Being slow to react to a change in conditions can be really costly. If you suddenly find you are going slow, don’t have the height of the boats around you, or that lane you had has now disappeared, think about why. You are on the wrong tack and are frantically searching for another lane to tack into. The reason you are in this predicament is that while you were preoccupied trying to find a better lane, you hadn't changed gear. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Why the best sailors constantly win The best sailors can change gear effortlessly. While they are steering the boat fast, they can reach in and pull a little Vang or Cunningham on, or move the centreboard up or down without affecting boatspeed. Most of us are reluctant to reach in to adjust controls and change gear, as our steering suffers. This results in the boat heading up or down, losing speed, while our more competent competitors slowly ease away. Practising making adjustments on the fly during training sessions is essential to improve that aspect of your racing. Crews must continually communicate about the feel as adjustments are made. Ensure that you give the boat and team time to settle in to confirm that the adjustment has been effective. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES   Understand what effect each control has  Understand what each of the controls on your boat does and the effect they have on the sail shape and trim. Depending on the class and type of boat you sail, some controls will be more effective than others at depowering or powering up the rig. Most classes have a sailmaker's guide on the fastest settings for your type of boat. Use these as a guide or starting point. In many cases, the guide is generic and doesn't take into account your team's weight, the brand of mast you are using (to name a few) or the sea conditions you are encountering on the day. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Sailing at different venues  Different venues with their associated conditions require different amounts of gear changing. Speak with the locals at a new venue to see what to expect and plan accordingly. If the information is sparse and it is a multi-day regatta, arrive a day or so early and get out on the course to learn the conditions and plan accordingly. Lake sailing is likely to be gusty with a large variation in wind velocity, requiring regular adjustment of the controls. If you are sailing at a venue with large headlands or high topography on one side of the course, plan for gusts and shifts. Start by prioritising a couple of key controls to adjust. Often, it’s the Vang, Cunningham and outhaul, especially in a singlehander like a Laser or Aero. Work out what gives you the biggest "bang for your buck" in your boat and start with those. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Conclusion Don't try to gear change for every gust and lull. Not only will you quickly become exhausted, but you’ll be so busy with your head in the boat that you will lose sight of the bigger picture strategy. The length of the gust or lull should determine whether to change gear or not.

[brettbowden]

CHANGING GEARS

Changing gears and knowing when and how is essential if you want to compete at the pointy end of the fleet. How many times have you crossed the finish line in 5 knots, having started in 15-20 knots and realised that your rig and boat are still at their original settings? Constantly think about settings as the breeze fluctuates. I think most of us are good at adjusting our settings and rig tensions as the breeze increases, but conversely are less diligent as the breeze drops. Powering up is essential as the wind velocity drops, and this is where big gains can be made against the rest of the fleet. Being slow to react to a change in conditions can be really costly. If you suddenly find you are going slow, don’t have the height of the boats around you, or that lane you had has now disappeared, think about why. You are on the wrong tack and are frantically searching for another lane to tack into. The reason you are in this predicament is that while you were preoccupied trying to find a better lane, you hadn't changed gear. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Why the best sailors constantly win The best sailors can change gear effortlessly. While they are steering the boat fast, they can reach in and pull a little Vang or Cunningham on, or move the centreboard up or down without affecting boatspeed. Most of us are reluctant to reach in to adjust controls and change gear, as our steering suffers. This results in the boat heading up or down, losing speed, while our more competent competitors slowly ease away. Practising making adjustments on the fly during training sessions is essential to improve that aspect of your racing. Crews must continually communicate about the feel as adjustments are made. Ensure that you give the boat and team time to settle in to confirm that the adjustment has been effective. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES   Understand what effect each control has  Understand what each of the controls on your boat does and the effect they have on the sail shape and trim. Depending on the class and type of boat you sail, some controls will be more effective than others at depowering or powering up the rig. Most classes have a sailmaker's guide on the fastest settings for your type of boat. Use these as a guide or starting point. In many cases, the guide is generic and doesn't take into account your team's weight, the brand of mast you are using (to name a few) or the sea conditions you are encountering on the day. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Sailing at different venues  Different venues with their associated conditions require different amounts of gear changing. Speak with the locals at a new venue to see what to expect and plan accordingly. If the information is sparse and it is a multi-day regatta, arrive a day or so early and get out on the course to learn the conditions and plan accordingly. Lake sailing is likely to be gusty with a large variation in wind velocity, requiring regular adjustment of the controls. If you are sailing at a venue with large headlands or high topography on one side of the course, plan for gusts and shifts. Start by prioritising a couple of key controls to adjust. Often, it’s the Vang, Cunningham and outhaul, especially in a singlehander like a Laser or Aero. Work out what gives you the biggest "bang for your buck" in your boat and start with those. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Conclusion Don't try to gear change for every gust and lull. Not only will you quickly become exhausted, but you’ll be so busy with your head in the boat that you will lose sight of the bigger picture strategy. The length of the gust or lull should determine whether to change gear or not. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

CHANGING GEARS

Changing gears and knowing when and how is essential if you want to compete at the pointy end of the fleet. How many times have you crossed the finish line in 5 knots, having started in 15-20 knots and realised that your rig and boat are still at their original settings? Constantly think about settings as the breeze fluctuates. I think most of us are good at adjusting our settings and rig tensions as the breeze increases, but conversely are less diligent as the breeze drops. Powering up is essential as the wind velocity drops, and this is where big gains can be made against the rest of the fleet. Being slow to react to a change in conditions can be really costly. If you suddenly find you are going slow, don’t have the height of the boats around you, or that lane you had has now disappeared, think about why. You are on the wrong tack and are frantically searching for another lane to tack into. The reason you are in this predicament is that while you were preoccupied trying to find a better lane, you hadn't changed gear. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES   Why the best sailors constantly win The best sailors can change gear effortlessly. While they are steering the boat fast, they can reach in and pull a little Vang or Cunningham on, or move the centreboard up or down without affecting boatspeed. Most of us are reluctant to reach in to adjust controls and change gear, as our steering suffers. This results in the boat heading up or down, losing speed, while our more competent competitors slowly ease away. Practising making adjustments on the fly during training sessions is essential to improve that aspect of your racing. Crews must continually communicate about the feel as adjustments are made. Ensure that you give the boat and team time to settle in to confirm that the adjustment has been effective. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES   Understand what effect each control has  Understand what each of the controls on your boat does and the effect they have on the sail shape and trim. Depending on the class and type of boat you sail, some controls will be more effective than others at depowering or powering up the rig. Most classes have a sailmaker's guide on the fastest settings for your type of boat. Use these as a guide or starting point. In many cases, the guide is generic and doesn't take into account your team's weight, the brand of mast you are using (to name a few) or the sea conditions you are encountering on the day. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Sailing at different venues  Different venues with their associated conditions require different amounts of gear changing. Speak with the locals at a new venue to see what to expect and plan accordingly. If the information is sparse and it is a multi-day regatta, arrive a day or so early and get out on the course to learn the conditions and plan accordingly. Lake sailing is likely to be gusty with a large variation in wind velocity, requiring regular adjustment of the controls. If you are sailing at a venue with large headlands or high topography on one side of the course, plan for gusts and shifts. Start by prioritising a couple of key controls to adjust. Often, it’s the Vang, Cunningham and outhaul, especially in a singlehander like a Laser or Aero. Work out what gives you the biggest "bang for your buck" in your boat and start with those. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Conclusion Don't try to gear change for every gust and lull. Not only will you quickly become exhausted, but you’ll be so busy with your head in the boat that you will lose sight of the bigger picture strategy. The length of the gust or lull should determine whether to change gear or not. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

Pre Start Intel

Pre-start intel will have a great bearing on how you will finish in a race. You must get out on the course at least 45 minutes before the starting signal. The things that you need to do are to make sure you are set up to go fast in the prevailing conditions, work out what is happening with the wind and do your starting line research. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Gather wind readings. Sail upwind with the speed team, tweaking the rig and sails to get the best speed to match the wind strength and sea state. The tactical team will be working out the wind patterns and recording changes in direction to work out whether the shifts are oscillating or persistent. Note the range of headings on port and starboard tacks and also determine the timing of shifts. This will help you to work out the mean direction on each tack and will enable the tactician to call tacks and Gybes so you sail the shortest possible distance between marks. During this upwind fact-finding sail, you should also be taking note of other tactical considerations like current, potential geographic shifts and varying wind conditions across the course. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Set your boat up for speed. Have a tuning partner and hit the track early with them to compare relative height and speed. Upwind - If you’re pointing well but not going forward, make your sails flatter. If you have speed but no height, make the sails fuller and tighter leech, especially the main. If you’re lower and slower, make sure you’re set up according to your sailmaker’s tuning guide. Experiment with different settings, and ask your tuning partner how they’re set up if they’re beating you. Downwind - Try different sailing angles, crew placement and heel to work out which mode gives you the best VMG. This is where a tuning partner is essential. The benefit of tuning before the race is that it allows you to gain confidence in your settings and boatspeed. This frees you up to look around while racing. Unprepared sailors have their heads in the boat trying to go fast, and their tactics suffer as a result. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Research the starting line. Around 15 minutes before the start, begin getting your head in the race. Once the start line is set, commence your start line research and formulate your starting strategy. Get a line sight by sailing to the end of the line away from the land and sight through the committee boat to an object on the land that is in line with both ends. Then sail down the line using that sight to get comfortable with being on the line. Sail up the line to work out how long it takes to get to each end and keep an eye on the compass to mentally record the heading. When the weather mark has been set, note its direction and then do a head to wind on the line to work out the line bias and favoured end. Don't be content with doing this once. Be prepared to carry this out continuously up until the start to track changes in wind direction as this will help to determine your race strategy. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES One final thing. Do a brief upwind sail again to see if anything has changed. Check your compass again and make sure the boat still feels right for the conditions. Observe your angle compared to the line. Visualise how the fleet will come off the line at that angle and factor that into your final game plan. Your angle off the line should correspond to the favoured-end research you did. If not, then there’s either been a shift or the committee moved the line. Be prepared to re-jig your game plan. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

Pre Start Intel

Pre-start intel will have a great bearing on how you will finish in a race. You must get out on the course at least 45 minutes before the starting signal. The things that you need to do are to make sure you are set up to go fast in the prevailing conditions, work out what is happening with the wind and do your starting line research. Gather wind readings. Sail upwind with the speed team, tweaking the rig and sails to get the best speed to match the wind strength and sea state. The tactical team will be working out the wind patterns and recording changes in direction to work out whether the shifts are oscillating or persistent. Note the range of headings on port and starboard tacks and also determine the timing of shifts. This will help you to work out the mean direction on each tack and will enable the tactician to call tacks and Gybes so you sail the shortest possible distance between marks. During this upwind fact-finding sail, you should also be taking note of other tactical considerations like current, potential geographic shifts and varying wind conditions across the course. Set your boat up for speed. Have a tuning partner and hit the track early with them to compare relative height and speed. Upwind - If you’re pointing well but not going forward, make your sails flatter. If you have speed but no height, make the sails fuller and tighter leech, especially the main. If you’re lower and slower, make sure you’re set up according to your sailmaker’s tuning guide. Experiment with different settings, and ask your tuning partner how they’re set up if they’re beating you. Downwind - Try different sailing angles, crew placement and heel to work out which mode gives you the best VMG. This is where a tuning partner is essential. The benefit of tuning before the race is that it allows you to gain confidence in your settings and boatspeed. This frees you up to look around while racing. Unprepared sailors have their heads in the boat trying to go fast, and their tactics suffer as a result. Research the starting line. Around 15 minutes before the start, begin getting your head in the race. Once the start line is set, commence your start line research and formulate your starting strategy. Get a line sight by sailing to the end of the line away from the land and sight through the committee boat to an object on the land that is in line with both ends. Then sail down the line using that sight to get comfortable with being on the line. Sail up the line to work out how long it takes to get to each end and keep an eye on the compass to mentally record the heading. When the weather mark has been set, note its direction and then do a head to wind on the line to work out the line bias and favoured end. Don't be content with doing this once. Be prepared to carry this out continuously up until the start to track changes in wind direction as this will help to determine your race strategy. One final thing. Do a brief upwind sail again to see if anything has changed. Check your compass again and make sure the boat still feels right for the conditions. Observe your angle compared to the line. Visualise how the fleet will come off the line at that angle and factor that into your final game plan. Your angle off the line should correspond to the favoured-end research you did. If not, then there’s either been a shift or the committee moved the line. Be prepared to re-jig your game plan. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

Pre Start Intel

Etchells NSW Championship 2018 ph. Andrea Francolini Pre-start intel will have a great bearing on how you will finish in a race. You must get out on the course at least 45 minutes before the starting signal. The things that you need to do are to make sure you are set up to go fast in the prevailing conditions, work out what is happening with the wind and do your starting line research. Gather wind readings. Sail upwind with the speed team, tweaking the rig and sails to get the best speed to match the wind strength and sea state. The tactical team will be working out the wind patterns and recording changes in direction to work out whether the shifts are oscillating or persistent. Note the range of headings on port and starboard tacks and also determine the timing of shifts. This will help you to work out the mean direction on each tack and will enable the tactician to call tacks and Gybes so you sail the shortest possible distance between marks. During this upwind fact-finding sail, you should also be taking note of other tactical considerations like current, potential geographic shifts and varying wind conditions across the course. Set your boat up for speed. Have a tuning partner and hit the track early with them to compare relative height and speed. Upwind - If you’re pointing well but not going forward, make your sails flatter. If you have speed but no height, make the sails fuller and tighter leech, especially the main. If you’re lower and slower, make sure you’re set up according to your sailmaker’s tuning guide. Experiment with different settings, and ask your tuning partner how they’re set up if they’re beating you. Downwind - Try different sailing angles, crew placement and heel to work out which mode gives you the best VMG. This is where a tuning partner is essential. The benefit of tuning before the race is that it allows you to gain confidence in your settings and boatspeed. This frees you up to look around while racing. Unprepared sailors have their heads in the boat trying to go fast, and their tactics suffer as a result. Research the starting line. Around 15 minutes before the start, begin getting your head in the race. Once the start line is set, commence your start line research and formulate your starting strategy. Get a line sight by sailing to the end of the line away from the land and sight through the committee boat to an object on the land that is in line with both ends. Then sail down the line using that sight to get comfortable with being on the line. Sail up the line to work out how long it takes to get to each end and keep an eye on the compass to mentally record the heading. When the weather mark has been set, note its direction and then do a head to wind on the line to work out the line bias and favoured end. Don't be content with doing this once. Be prepared to carry this out continuously up until the start to track changes in wind direction as this will help to determine your race strategy. One final thing. Do a brief upwind sail again to see if anything has changed. Check your compass again and make sure the boat still feels right for the conditions. Observe your angle compared to the line. Visualise how the fleet will come off the line at that angle and factor that into your final game plan. Your angle off the line should correspond to the favoured-end research you did. If not, then there’s either been a shift or the committee moved the line. Be prepared to re-jig your game plan.

[brettbowden]

Pre Start Intel

  Pre-start intel will have a great bearing on how you will finish in a race. You must get out on the course at least 45 minutes before the starting signal. The things that you need to do are to make sure you are set up to go fast in the prevailing conditions, work out what is happening with the wind and do your starting line research. Gather wind readings. Sail upwind with the speed team, tweaking the rig and sails to get the best speed to match the wind strength and sea state. The tactical team will be working out the wind patterns and recording changes in direction to work out whether the shifts are oscillating or persistent. Note the range of headings on port and starboard tacks and also determine the timing of shifts. This will help you to work out the mean direction on each tack and will enable the tactician to call tacks and Gybes so you sail the shortest possible distance between marks. During this upwind fact-finding sail, you should also be taking note of other tactical considerations like current, potential geographic shifts and varying wind conditions across the course. Set your boat up for speed. Have a tuning partner and hit the track early with them to compare relative height and speed. Upwind - If you’re pointing well but not going forward, make your sails flatter. If you have speed but no height, make the sails fuller and tighter leech, especially the main. If you’re lower and slower, make sure you’re set up according to your sailmaker’s tuning guide. Experiment with different settings, and ask your tuning partner how they’re set up if they’re beating you. Downwind - Try different sailing angles, crew placement and heel to work out which mode gives you the best VMG. This is where a tuning partner is essential. The benefit of tuning before the race is that it allows you to gain confidence in your settings and boatspeed. This frees you up to look around while racing. Unprepared sailors have their heads in the boat trying to go fast, and their tactics suffer as a result. Research the starting line. Around 15 minutes before the start, begin getting your head in the race. Once the start line is set, commence your start line research and formulate your starting strategy. Get a line sight by sailing to the end of the line away from the land and sight through the committee boat to an object on the land that is in line with both ends. Then sail down the line using that sight to get comfortable with being on the line. Sail up the line to work out how long it takes to get to each end and keep an eye on the compass to mentally record the heading. When the weather mark has been set, note its direction and then do a head to wind on the line to work out the line bias and favoured end. Don't be content with doing this once. Be prepared to carry this out continuously up until the start to track changes in wind direction as this will help to determine your race strategy. One final thing. Do a brief upwind sail again to see if anything has changed. Check your compass again and make sure the boat still feels right for the conditions. Observe your angle compared to the line. Visualise how the fleet will come off the line at that angle and factor that into your final game plan. Your angle off the line should correspond to the favoured-end research you did. If not, then there’s either been a shift or the committee moved the line. Be prepared to re-jig your game plan. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

BOOM VANG BASICS

Boom Vang Basics. The boom vang helps control and maintain mainsail twist, keeping your sail performance dialled in and offering opportunities to trim with more finesse.  The vang control should be led back to where the helmsperson in a single-handed or small crewed boat can easily reach it without having to look down. Likewise, on a larger, multi-crewed boat, the vang control should be positioned where the trimmer has instant, easy access. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Uses and effects of the vang The vang assists in controlling the height of the boom and can, in some cases, provide extra stability. Use the vang to counteract too much leech twist. This happens when the trimmer has reached the limits on the mainsheet or traveller. When you ease the mainsheet, you sacrifice power and speed. As you ease the sheet, tighten the vang to maintain the angle of the boom (and so, the twist).  How do we know when to adjust the vang? Your upper leech tell-tales on your mainsail will tell you. The vang is a useful tool at all angles, but is essential when beam reaching or wider. The vang will pull down on the boom and maintain a good upper leech angle, reducing mainsail luffing. Vang Upwind A crucial component of efficient upwind sail trim is twist. Different amounts of twist are needed depending on the prevailing wind and wave conditions. When sailing upwind, twist is controlled using mainsheet and vang tension, and the correct twist is determined by using the mainsail telltails. If your vang is pulled on too hard, you will not be able to add twist by easing the mainsheet. When you sail into a lull, you need to adjust the mainsheet and vang tension. This gives the necessary twist to keep the telltails flying and to reduce drag.  In light wind and choppy conditions, having the right vang tension will help to keep the boom from bouncing erratically. In heavy air, the outhaul, backstay and Cunningham are on tight, plus the traveller will be down. To help with pointing, you will employ a combination of sheet and vang tension to keep power in the lower leech. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Vang when Reaching When reaching, the vang is the only control that affects mainsail twist. As the boom is eased beyond the quarter of the boat with the traveller down, the mainsheet is no longer effective at holding the boom down, so the vang takes over. A good indicator of good vang tension is if the top batten is as close to parallel with the boom as possible, usually ending up at 25° off parallel. When tight reaching in windy conditions, it is important to be proactive rather than reactive with the vang, especially with a spinnaker up. It is nearly always too late if you are waiting for the call "blow the vang". Vang when Running When running, the mainsheet is completely ineffective at controlling mainsail twist. Pull the vang on to keep your top batten parallel to the boom. This keeps the mainsail fully projected to the wind.  A common mistake when running downwind in heavy airs is blowing the vang when the boat begins to roll. In a panic, someone blows the vang, thinking it will prevent a broach, as it does on a reach. Unfortunately, the opposite happens. The mainsail depowers completely, the spinnaker takes over, and the imbalance can gybe the boat.

[brettbowden]

BOOM VANG BASICS

Boom Vang Basics. The boom vang helps control and maintain mainsail twist, keeping your sail performance dialled in and offering opportunities to trim with more finesse.  The vang control should be led back to where the helmsperson in a single-handed or small crewed boat can easily reach it without having to look down. Likewise, on a larger, multi-crewed boat, the vang control should be positioned where the trimmer has instant, easy access. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Uses and effects of the vang The vang assists in controlling the height of the boom and can, in some cases, provide extra stability. Use the vang to counteract too much leech twist. This happens when the trimmer has reached the limits on the mainsheet or traveller. When you ease the mainsheet, you sacrifice power and speed. As you ease the sheet, tighten the vang to maintain the angle of the boom (and so, the twist).  How do we know when to adjust the vang? Your upper leech tell-tales on your mainsail will tell you. The vang is a useful tool at all angles, but is essential when beam reaching or wider. The vang will pull down on the boom and maintain a good upper leech angle, reducing mainsail luffing. Vang Upwind A crucial component of efficient upwind sail trim is twist. Different amounts of twist are needed depending on the prevailing wind and wave conditions. When sailing upwind, twist is controlled using mainsheet and vang tension, and the correct twist is determined by using the mainsail telltails. If your vang is pulled on too hard, you will not be able to add twist by easing the mainsheet. When you sail into a lull, you need to adjust the mainsheet and vang tension. This gives the necessary twist to keep the telltails flying and to reduce drag.  In light wind and choppy conditions, having the right vang tension will help to keep the boom from bouncing erratically. In heavy air, the outhaul, backstay and Cunningham are on tight, plus the traveller will be down. To help with pointing, you will employ a combination of sheet and vang tension to keep power in the lower leech. CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES Vang when Reaching When reaching, the vang is the only control that affects mainsail twist. As the boom is eased beyond the quarter of the boat with the traveller down, the mainsheet is no longer effective at holding the boom down, so the vang takes over. A good indicator of good vang tension is if the top batten is as close to parallel with the boom as possible, usually ending up at 25° off parallel. When tight reaching in windy conditions, it is important to be proactive rather than reactive with the vang, especially with a spinnaker up. It is nearly always too late if you are waiting for the call "blow the vang". Vang when Running When running, the mainsheet is completely ineffective at controlling mainsail twist. Pull the vang on to keep your top batten parallel to the boom. This keeps the mainsail fully projected to the wind.  A common mistake when running downwind in heavy airs is blowing the vang when the boat begins to roll. In a panic, someone blows the vang, thinking it will prevent a broach, as it does on a reach. Unfortunately, the opposite happens. The mainsail depowers completely, the spinnaker takes over, and the imbalance can gybe the boat.   Read the full article

[brettbowden]

Psychology and Sailing

[brettbowden]

  Psychology and Sailing - Thanks to mate Andy Rice of the Sail Juice newsletter for the next couple of paragraphs highlighted in italics. When I read these, the folly of continuing to seek and then pay for the latest gear to give me an edge suddenly became apparent. "In one-design racing, where your equipment is the same as everyone else's, there are only two ways to beat your opponent - through superior physiology (your size, weight and fitness) or through superior psychology (just about everything else!). Psychology is perhaps one of the most neglected parts of sailing - it's always easier to mess around with your boat than with your mind, isn't it!  Sorting out the way your mental approach and the attitude you bring to your racing is one of the most effective ways of improving your results on the water. Learning new mental skills will do you more good than buying a fancy new tapered mainsheet or auto-ratchet. What's more, these skills will never wear out, and they won't cost you a penny either!"  Another great attribute of top sailors and champions is a Never Say Die attitude. No matter how bad things get during a race, the best sailors do whatever it takes to get the job done. There is a great reason for this, and that is, until the gun fires to greet the winner, anything can happen. One of the skills of any elite athlete is the ability to set a goal. Setting lofty goals is important, but it’s the process of achieving that goal that yields success or failure and your enjoyment of the process. “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi If I am the closest to perfection, I will win, right?  It is a dangerous mentality that often leads to unhappiness and can actually stop progress towards a goal. A sailor with a perfectionist mindset is focused on the outcome, not the process. These athletes tend to place unreasonable demands on themselves and are quick to criticise failures, which ultimately causes them to avoid failure altogether. The perfectionist views other competitors and coaches as potential critics and therefore tends to avoid feedback. Following is a list of the attributes needed for a sailor pursuing excellence: - Focus on the process of the task rather than the outcome. - Value themselves separately from the achievement. Based on the willingness to try rather than whether the goal was achieved. - Set realistic but challenging goals that are clear and specific. - Be willing to examine performance and personal vulnerabilities to improve. - Focus on achieving goals to attain personal satisfaction rather than the need of others to recognise their success. - Be prepared to risk failure because of the benefits that occur from taking a risk. - Recognise that change occurs with consistent effort over time. Have the patience to continue pursuing goals even when there is no immediate change. - Finds enjoyment and satisfaction in the pursuit of goals. Final thoughts Many sailors leave no stone unturned about their equipment, their practice of technique, and even their physical conditioning. They seek help to accomplish this from sailmakers, coaches, and strength and conditioning trainers, and yet some stubbornly pursue improvement of their mental game on their own. I have just finished reading the "Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey.  Although it is written about an unrelated sport, the psychological aspects are easily transferable to sailing. We can't tackle the psychological aspect of our sport on our own, and books like this increase our learning. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

Minimise Sailing Risk

Minimise Sailing Risk and don’t take unnecessary chances!The notes below were put together by super coach, sailing legend and good friend Dave Dellenbaugh of the Speed and Smarts newsletter. https://www.speedandsmarts.com/To consistently finish near the top of the fleet, you must follow a conservative game plan. You should minimise risk or exposure by sticking to tactics and strategies that have a high probability of success.Of course, there are situations when it’s all right (or even smart) to take a chance, but your general approach should be to avoid risky decisions, maneuvers, tactics and strategies.Below are 13 ideas on how you can minimise risk around the race course. If you implement as many of these as possible, your finishes should be more consistently near the top of the fleet.FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPSLearn the racing rules.Knowing the rules is the best way to avoid breaking any rules. Take some time to regularly review the rulebook. Besides reducing your risk, it will put you in a much stronger position tactically and help you stay in control of your race. (Don’t forget your class rules, too.)Study the notice of race and sailing instructions.If you really want to minimise risk-taking, don’t ever sail a race without reading all the regatta rules first. This is an easy, foolproof way to avoid the kind of embarrassing mistakes that can cost you a regatta.Work hard on boatspeed.Improving your boatspeed may be hard work, but it can give you a huge return with no risk at all. In addition, good boatspeed will help you recover from mistakes. It lets you take slightly bigger risks (in search of slightly bigger rewards) while reducing your downside.Practice boat handling maneuvers, especially in heavy air.When you’re racing, there is always at least a small risk whenever you perform a maneuver (e.g. heavy-air jibes). To minimise this risk, practice as much as possible, especially in stronger winds, and try to avoid high-risk maneuvers while racing.Check over your boat and gear.Another easy way to lose a race or regatta is by having something break. Therefore, if you want to reduce your risk, be sure to check your boat carefully before every race. Pay special attention to areas of high wear like the boom vang, hiking stick, hiking straps, halyards and so on.FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPSAim to finish in the top three or five, not first.If you try to win every race, you will probably take too many risks to beat all the other boats. A better idea is to aim for the top 5 or so instead. Just as you don’t need the best start to win a race, you don’t need first places to win a series.Keep your head out of the boat.To avoid bumps in the road, keep your eyes on where you’re going. Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. Keep the big picture firmly in mind so you won’t sail into a position where you are left with only high-risk options.Avoid close encounters with other boats.If you foul another boat, it can be very costly, especially if it’s early in a race. Therefore, to reduce risk, keep clear of other boats.Be willing to take a penalty.No one likes to admit they broke a rule or do circles in the middle of a race, especially when they’re not sure they were actually wrong. However, when you go to a protest hearing you typically have a 50% chance of losing.So, if you really want to minimise risk, your best move is to take a penalty (be sure to read the SI's to see what penalties apply)FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPSDon’t take fliers.The greater your separation from other boats, the more you are at risk. Therefore, stay away from the corners and laylines of the course, and avoid sailing off by yourself.Make a strategic plan and follow it.Much risk-taking results from decisions that are made on the spur of the moment. To avoid this, get out to the course area early, develop a race strategy and use this as your guide for decisions during the race. Of course, you should modify this as necessary during the race.Sail the longer tack first.In other words, stay on the tack where your bow is pointed closer to the next mark. This gives you the best chance of success because it will keep you closer to the middle of the course in a position where you can best play the windshifts and handle other boats.Cover the boats behind you.When you want to stay ahead of the boats behind you, cover them by positioning your boat between them and the next mark. This will minimise your risk of losing them. Read the full article

[brettbowden]

Minimise Sailing Risk and don’t take unnecessary chances! The notes below were put together by super coach, sailing legend and good friend Dave Dellenbaugh of the Speed and Smarts newsletter. https://www.speedandsmarts.com/ To consistently finish near the top of the fleet, you must follow a conservative game plan. You should minimise risk or exposure by sticking to tactics and strategies that have a high probability of success. Of course, there are situations when it’s all right (or even smart) to take a chance, but your general approach should be to avoid risky decisions, maneuvers, tactics and strategies. Below are 13 ideas on how you can minimise risk around the race course. If you implement as many of these as possible, your finishes should be more consistently near the top of the fleet. FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPS Learn the racing rules. Knowing the rules is the best way to avoid breaking any rules. Take some time to regularly review the rulebook. Besides reducing your risk, it will put you in a much stronger position tactically and help you stay in control of your race. (Don’t forget your class rules, too.) Study the notice of race and sailing instructions. If you really want to minimise risk-taking, don’t ever sail a race without reading all the regatta rules first. This is an easy, foolproof way to avoid the kind of embarrassing mistakes that can cost you a regatta. Work hard on boatspeed. Improving your boatspeed may be hard work, but it can give you a huge return with no risk at all. In addition, good boatspeed will help you recover from mistakes. It lets you take slightly bigger risks (in search of slightly bigger rewards) while reducing your downside. Practice boat handling maneuvers, especially in heavy air. When you’re racing, there is always at least a small risk whenever you perform a maneuver (e.g. heavy-air jibes). To minimise this risk, practice as much as possible, especially in stronger winds, and try to avoid high-risk maneuvers while racing. Check over your boat and gear. Another easy way to lose a race or regatta is by having something break. Therefore, if you want to reduce your risk, be sure to check your boat carefully before every race. Pay special attention to areas of high wear like the boom vang, hiking stick, hiking straps, halyards and so on. FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPS Aim to finish in the top three or five, not first. If you try to win every race, you will probably take too many risks to beat all the other boats. A better idea is to aim for the top 5 or so instead. Just as you don’t need the best start to win a race, you don’t need first places to win a series. Keep your head out of the boat. To avoid bumps in the road, keep your eyes on where you’re going. Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. Keep the big picture firmly in mind so you won’t sail into a position where you are left with only high-risk options. Avoid close encounters with other boats. If you foul another boat, it can be very costly, especially if it’s early in a race. Therefore, to reduce risk, keep clear of other boats. Be willing to take a penalty. No one likes to admit they broke a rule or do circles in the middle of a race, especially when they’re not sure they were actually wrong. However, when you go to a protest hearing you typically have a 50% chance of losing. So, if you really want to minimise risk, your best move is to take a penalty (be sure to read the SI's to see what penalties apply) FREE PDF BOOK - 49 TIPS Don’t take fliers. The greater your separation from other boats, the more you are at risk. Therefore, stay away from the corners and laylines of the course, and avoid sailing off by yourself. Make a strategic plan and follow it. Much risk-taking results from decisions that are made on the spur of the moment. To avoid this, get out to the course area early, develop a race strategy and use this as your guide for decisions during the race. Of course, you should modify this as necessary during the race. Sail the longer tack first. In other words, stay on the tack where your bow is pointed closer to the next mark. This gives you the best chance of success because it will keep you closer to the middle of the course in a position where you can best play the windshifts and handle other boats. Cover the boats behind you. When you want to stay ahead of the boats behind you, cover them by positioning your boat between them and the next mark. This will minimise your risk of losing them. Read the full article