DO HAVE CONFIDENCE
IN EXECUTING YOUR
START STRATEGYTOP TIP
DON’T GET TO THE
LAYLINE TOO EARLYTOP TIP
DO KEEP YOUR HEAD
OUT OF THE BOAT SO
YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD
RATHER THAN REACTTOP TIP
- ON THE START
Once you have found the bias of the line, this will tell you which end is
favoured and help in deciding where along the line to start. Note that
it does not always pay to start at the biased end if it’s crowded. Being
front row anywhere on the line at speed is far better than being at the
biased end but stuck on the second or third row going slowly in dirty air.
Doing some timed runs at the line can really help with your
time and distance, especially in tide, waves, and light wind when
it may take far longer than you thought to sail to the line. This is
particularly important in keelboats when it takes much longer to
build speed and could take up to 10 seconds to be at max speed.
If you do get a bad start, look for an early opportunity to tack out on
to port and be prepared to duck boats to find the clear air you need.
6. OFF THE STARTLINE
The race has started and you are sailing up the beat. It’s
crucial to monitor other boats and formulate a strategy.
It happens so often the starboard tack boat you didn’t
see suddenly materialises, often resulting in a crash
tack and - worst case scenario-a720degree penalty
turn after infringing the other boat. Keep a look out and
don’t be afraid to duck starboard tackers, if you think
you are going the right way or are on the lifted tack.
By tacking instead they now have control of you and
unless you have managed to lee bow them, they will
eventually roll you and cause you to have to tack again.
Likewise, if you are on starboard, think twice before
yelling if the port tack boat can tack under and lee
bow you. Often waving across a port tack boat that’s
almost crossing is far better than having them tack
close to you and bouncing you of on to the other tack.
However if you wanttheir lane then do shout loudly.
Always remember to look before you tack to ensure
you are not tacking into dirty air or into a situation with
another boat - especially true on the first upwind leg. - TOP OF THE BEAT
As you reach the top of the course, if
possible, avoid reaching the layline too
soon. Once you reach the layline you lose
all options: if the winds lifts you have over
stood and are now sailing extra distance;
if it heads you are on the wrong tack and
again sailing extra distance. Unless you are
in front and winning the race, you will also
have to contend with boats tacking in in
front and having to sit in their dirty air.
The port layline is even more risky as
you have starboard tackers to avoid.
You need to be very careful if coming in
within the three boat length zone of the
mark that you do not infringe any boat
on starboard. In the last third of the beat
I try to be more towards the middle of
the course, with options to play the last
few shifts and join the layline around six
boat lengths out, looking for the gaps.
I try never to be on the port layline, but
four boat lengths down so when I meet
the boats on the starboard layline I am
outside the three boat length circle at the
windward mark, so there’s far less risk.
TOM GRUITT; LBP AERIAL IMAGERY
July 2018 Yachts & Yachting 55FEATURE START RACING