Yachts & Yachting – August 2019

time is required. Keep checking the

horizon to look for big wind changes,

converging eets and shipping bound

in or out of Southampton. If there is

going to be a problem you should be

able to spot it at least 15 minutes early

and position the boat to minimise

any ground lost. Keeping your head

up is equally important simply so that

know where you are, as being able to

continuously identify your position on

a chart is an important skill for racing

in the Solent – it’s worth practising

this to build your skills in this area.

8. MANAGING RISK
   It’s important to be able to identify which
   opportunities are high-risk and should
   be ignored – a single high-stakes move
   can ruin your series score. It’s oen
   said that winning at Cowes involves
   luck, yet the same names keep rising
   to the top of their eets. e more you
   can manage and defend against risks
   and the more you can identify low-risk
   advantages, the less luck plays a part.
   Also watch for habitual aggressors –
   they rarely score well in series results,
   but can spoil your day and therefore
   your chances of an overall win.
   Risk management is also
   important when sailing close to
   shore, seeking relief from an adverse
   tide – failing to stay aoat is never
   fast and risks serious damage.

FEATURE COWES WEEK PREVIEW

If possible, it’s worth walking

the shore to the west of the Royal

Yacht Squadron at low water

springs to identify the dangers.

Remember that the Isle of Wight

shore tends to be rocky, while the

north shore is predominately sand,

gravel or mud, which may be more

forgiving in the event of a grounding.

9. NEVER GIVE UP
   e old cliché that it’s never over until
   the nish is particularly apt in Cowes
   Week. Many races are decided in
   the nal mile, especially if the nish
   line is approached from the east and
   you have to negotiate the notorious

Norris Nadgers – the turbulent wind

o the high ground east of the river

Medina. In addition, many teams start

to ag in the closing stages of a long

race, which hands an opportunity to

those who are able to remain sharp.

10. PACE YOURSELF
    is is a long regatta. For many people
    the apres-sail activities are just as
    important as the racing, but from
    a purely racing point of view, over
    indulgence is rarely helplful and the
    exuberant celebration of a race win more
    oen than not leads to a disappointing
    result the following day that may spoil
    your chances of overall success.

Right

A Cowes Week

win is a pinnacle

of anyone’s season

Below

SailGP comes

to Cowes Week

for the opening

weekend – see

overleaf

PHOTOS: PAUL WYETH/LENDY COWES WEEK; ALEX IRWIN/SPORTOGRAPHY.TV; INGRID ABERY; SAILGP

26 Yachts & Yachting August 2019 yachtsandyachting.co.uk