Yachts & Yachting — March 2018

the end. You never quite know how
well you are doing during the race;
but 30 seconds lost in missing a wind
shift, for example, may lose quite a
few places in a 45-minute race.”

TACTICS AND GAIN FEATURES
Russ Clark says: “Identify what other
boats are near your handicap to give you
a guide when racing. Make a note if you
are fastest or slowest in your starting
group. If you’re the fastest, aim to use
line bias and the biggest gain feature
early, i.e. get away from the fleet quickly.
If you are at the slower end, aim for a
quick escape upwind to find a lane and
get clean wind. This might mean a quick
tack, or even a port tack start taking
transoms early to get out to the right
hand side. If you start at the pin end the
whole fleet can sail over the top of you.
“Know your angles and position
accordingly, especially downwind. A
symmetric boat should try to avoid being
pushed high by asymmetric boats at the
windward mark by early positioning.
“Have eyes out of the boat, not
only for wind and gain features but
looking for traffic. There will be boats
everywhere after the first lap and not
everyone will do what you might expect.
Expect the unexpected and don’t take
big risks in crossings or at marks.”

SAIL YOUR OWN RACE
Eleanor Craig says: “For both handicap
and pursuit races, don’t get disheartened
or distracted if faster boats start to
get in front of you. Try to focus on
your own race; distraction always
leads to a decrease in boat speed.
“As a female singlehanded sailor, it

can sometimes seem like we have a

disadvantage when it gets windy and

generally more strength is required.

But focus on the things you have

control over, such as depowering the

boat as much as possible with the

controls. There is no point trying to

fight the boat; just keeping it flat will

make your life so much easier.

“Generally it pays to stay out of messy

confrontations on the water, wasting

time and energy debating who’s in the

right will take your concentration away

from where it should be. If someone

shouts ‘protest’ at you just do the

turns even if you think you’re right;

the situation can then be resolved in

the protest hearing after sailing.”

Russ Clark agrees: “If an incident

occurs and there is any doubt, do a spin.

A 360 or 720 penalty turn will earn you

the respect of your competitors, even if

it is 50:50 situation. To quote the legend

Paul Elvstrom, ‘You haven’t won the

race, if in winning the race you have

lost the respect of your competitors’.

“Overall, remember, you are

racing the clock not the boat next

to you. The fastest route around the

course will always be the priority.”

KEEP IT CLEAN

Val Millward says: “Make allowances

for other sailors who may never have

raced against a Challenger before;

this is a learning curve for them.

“On the start line almost all

other dinghies will point higher

thanaChallenger.Pickwhereyou

want to start. Better to start in the

second flight but come in fast.

“Avoid incidents that will slow you

down even though you may be in the

right. If all else fails and a collision seems

inevitable (where bearing away means

the windward sponson will hit the other

boat and tacking means that the leeward

sponson will) you can stop the Challenger

dead in the water by pulling on your

gybing lines and backing the sail - while

shouting forcefully, ‘protest’ if you are

sure you have been fouled. This is slow

CHANGING GEARS

RUSS CLARK ON HONING TRANSITIONAL SKILLS...

Adjusting to different wind strengths is a crucial skill for

winter racing, particularly as many venues are inland

and very variable. As the wind increases, each boat

will transition from ‘racing’ to ‘sailing round a course’

to ‘survival’. Knowing where you transition between

these will help you manage taking risks around the

racecourse (hoisting the spinnaker, for example).

Light winds – Sailing in pressure and clear air

are the two biggest factors. It is possible to sail

a greater distance and still come out on top.

Medium winds – You’re full power sailing, so

optimise your racing for VMG (velocity made good)

around the course, racing the clock. This is when the

handicaps will be closest so every second counts.

Strong winds – Set the boat up for the conditions,

let the others make mistakes. Always aim to finish

a windy race if you can, as there will be retirees.

You are racing the clock, not the boat next to

you. The fastest route will always be a priority

Above

Don’t be

distracted if

quicker boats

begin to get

ahead

DINGHIES WINTER WINNERS

March 2018 Yachts & Yachting 43