Top racers like Dave Dellenbaugh and Greg Fisher know that boat speed is crucial to winning. Boat speed is a combination of having the boat ready to sail, good sails rigging the boat (for optis this means having the rake mast set right) sail shape, weight placement and rudder movement.
Top racers like Dave Dellenbaugh and Greg Fisher know that boat speed is crucial
to winning. Boat speed is a combination of having the boat ready to sail, good sails
rigging the boat (for optis this means having the rake mast set right) sail shape,
weight placement and rudder movement.
By working with your team mates and friends you can improve your boat speed. The kids at the top of the leader board typically the first out to the coarse and working on their racing before each event. By getting out to the coarse early, you will typically have 30 minutes to work on your boat speed.
To do this, you and partner should setup up wind with between two and three boat lengths between you and the leeward boat slightly bow ahead. Sail on one tack and then the other. Each boat should sail each tack in the windward and leeward position.
Between tests when sailing back downwind, discuss the results. Determine which boat was moving faster and why. By spending 30 minutes before the race on boat speed, both of you will move to the front of the fleet.
Remember it is no fluke that the kids that are sailing up the lake before the first race are typically at the top of the leader board.
To learn more check out Speed and Smarts.
Do you know the rules of racing? If not are the other kids using the rules to beat you or pass you?
The rules of racing are somewhat complex and detailed. In racing, especially at the junior level, the kids that know the rules will use them to bully the kids that are not sure. They will take room at a mark that they are not entitled to or refuse to give you room when you are entitled. Each one of these mistakes can cost you a boat length or two and in most regatta's the difference between first and second is only a couple of boat lengths.
I am not advocating that you learn the rules and try to bully kids or force them into fouling you. But if you know the rules, are confident in how to use them, you will be able to sail right by those kids yelling know that you are in the right.
So how can you lean the rules better. There are a few great sources:
1.) USSailings Rule Book - you get one of these free when you join USSailing.
2.) USSailings Handy Guide to Racing Rules (Your kids should have gotten these in camp or the last practice) - if you need them you can order another one.
3.) Take this free Rules Quiz. It is tricky - I only got an 85%.
4.) Try out this rules quiz. The basic rules are free and you can keep learning for a little extra $. This one show the kids exactly how the rules apply using illustrations.
Have the kids chekc these things out and see how they do. A prize to anyone that beats an 85% on the Speed and Smarts Rules Quiz.