Yachts & Yachting - July 2018

DON’T ROUND ON THE

OUTSIDE OF BOATS AT

THE LEEWARD MARK

TOP TIP

DO FINISH AT THE

FAVOURED END

OF THE LINE

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DON’T FORGET TO

LOOK BEHIND WHEN

SAILING DOWNWIND

TOP TIP

9. THE LEEWARD MARK
   The leeward mark is another part of the course where big gains or losses can be
   made: rounding around the outside of just one boat leaves the door wide open
   for others to come piling in. Oxygen masks will be dropping from the sky as you
   desperately try to find clear air and room to tack onto starboard to escape.
   In the last quarter of the run you need to make your move towards the inside
   of the boats around you. As you come down towards the leeward mark, start
   planning how you will position yourself to get to the inside before you reach the
   three boat length circle. If you can’t achieve this, slow down and allow the boat
   inside to go ahead and then follow on its transom around the mark. Remember,
   approach the turn around the mark wide, and finish the turn close to the mark.


10. THE FINISH
    You are now approaching the finish,
    the final part of the race. Sometimes
    there can be a number of boats
    around you and it’s really important
    to get a good finish. There is nothing
    more frustrating than losing to a
    boat or boats on the finish line.
    The finish line can be biased, so
    finishing at the wrong end can cost
    you places. Often the finish line is
    also the startline so whichever end
    was biased at the start of the race
    is likely to be the end you want to
    finish at, unless there has been a big
    wind shift. If it’s not the same line
    and you’re finishing upwind or on a
    reach, look to see which end looks
    closer to you and finish at that end.


11. DOWNWIND
    Big gains can be made downwind,
    but quite often sailors see this
    as a time to relax and switch of.
    Next thing you know a boat is
    on your tail and about to pass.
    It’s really important to keep an
    eye on what is going on behind
    when sailing downwind. Firstly this
    is where the wind is coming from
    and you need to spot the gusts and
    pressure, and secondly you need
    to defend from boats sitting on
    your wind. A good rule of thumb
    is if your Windex is pointing at a
    boat or group of boats behind
    then they are sitting on your wind!
    Likewise if you want to attack
    the boat ahead position yourself
    so their Windex is pointing at you.

MARC TURNER; RICHARD LANGDON/BRITISH SAILING

56 Yachts & Yachting July 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk