Races are won by losers’ mistakes, not necessarily by winners’ superb sailing

So minimize mistakes

Be patient

Above all do not gamble…

Play the odds

Rules we would stick to whether behind or ahead

Rules that we stick to in heavy or light winds, flat or choppy water

The plan is to beat the competitors, not the clock (at least in one design racing)

80% of good boat speed comes from good teamwork

Good teamwork comes from practice

Must be able to change gears smoothly

Automatic sailing

Confidence

Sails - must be competitive and must have the knowledge on how to use them

Hull, board, rudder - smooth, stiff, and free of dings

Rigging - Don’t skimp here! Boat must be able to be adjusted easily and while hiked out (important)

Be ready for any condition

Try not to slant your program too much for any one condition

Don’t want to be a sea lawyer

But, don’t’ want to be taken advantage of

Get to the start area not just the racing area

Sail upwind getting used to the breeze - up or down? Which side?

Is there a patter to the shifts?

Find a buddy to check out the wind on the opposite side of the course

Are there marks set? Is the course square to the wind?

Work on your compass headings (if applicable)

Build your game plan with your crew

But, do not let what you think you have learned dictate you entire game plan

Be flexible!

Check the line to determine the favored end

Methods: 

	Luffing main
	Head to wind

Check your boat over for last minute breakdowns

Is your trim and tuning ok?

Pick up line sights to help with mid-line sag.

Again, check the line

Again, check your compass headings

	Has the wind shifted?
	Persistent or oscillating ?

Check and choose the favored end of the line: 

Do not commit - just be close!

Start to set up your approach:

	Port tack,
	Starboard luffing,
	Vanderbilt

Your approach should be the same for every start - whether windward end, leeward end or middle favored line

Where do you want to be?

Remember game plan

Positioning

	Close to weather boat
	As far away from leeward boat as possible
	Defend! Park the boat unless You need to bear off to discourage those who want to “intrude”

Use your crew to help you read other boats moves, take information and react… this is important!

Watch for mid-line sag

Use line sights

Do not be early!

Drive into your hole

Must begin to accelerate

You bow must be poked out so…

You have clear air

Have a crew look for “ways out” if start is looking shaky

Must now be at top speed…

With clear air..

And on the line (with the rest of the fleet)

Concentrate very hard - this is the time to go the fastest! Try to break out from the pack

If a bad start, do not wait for it to change - bail out as soon as possible!

Remember to play boat position - the Iarger the fleet the more important as opposed to course position

Keep air clear

In lighter winds head towards velocity increase

In heavier winds head towards the shifts

Never commit early to either side of the course (or the fleet)

Wait to see which side begins to develop..

Then work yourself closer to that side, but...

Not all in one tack

Never be the farthest boat out on a side (unless you have a founded reason: i.e. geographic or persistent shift, current, etc.

When in doubt of your next move, cross the rhumb line

When deep in the tank - get back to the middle

To get back in phase - get back to the middle

Try not to cross a boat, either ahead of behind, unless on a lift

Take your longest (favored tack to the mark first)

Watch your relationships with other boats as you cross and re-cross - use their gains for your gains

Try to approach the weather mark on port tack (unless deep in the tank)

When your competitors splits with you ask yourself why?

Play the odds - never put yourself in a position where if anything changed, you would be vulnerable

Keep the whole game picture in mind - do not win the battles but lose the war!

Best tactic is no tactics (if possible)

Go fast and open up (close up) distance

Long range goal is to be inside at the mark

Never sail high on a reach unless...

	Current
	Increased wind velocity
	You are slower and need to defend
	You are faster and need to pass

Do not be greedy! Be patient for opportunities to make your move

Defend against a large bunch of boats behind

Attach against a large bunch of boats ahead (when few close behind)

Defend, when ahead by at least 2-4 lengths, by positioning yourself ahead and to leeward (between them and the mark)

When a competitor is close behind avoid luffing matches - keep him on your weather quarter - but "tell" him you will not let him pass

When competitors are close ahead - stay on his leeward quarter to keep him low. Make your move at the appropriate time (but never before!)

Once committed high or low stay there

At the gybe mark be aggressive, but "talk" to your competitors first

Save the fancy offensive moves on large bundles of boats until the very end of the leg

Again, do not win the battles and lose the war

Time to be slightly more aggressive - attack

Which reach tighter? Which tack favored?

Watch boats behind and over your shoulder - protect

Approach the weather mark from different layline than your competitors unless you are faster ...

Then do not gamble at all stick with them and grind them down

On this leg play the course (and shifts) more than the fleet - get there the fastest

Again, do not gamble - stay near the rhumb line unless you are certain a side is favored

Stay on the gybe that takes you closest to the mark unless...

You see a puff that could jack up your speed

Keep your air clear

On the last gybe, try to approach on the starboard tack

Round the mark (all the marks) with a tactical rounding - wide then tight

Set your goal early - attack or defend?

If defending, work your competitor to the un-favored side

Sit on their wind when they are sailing the direction you do not want them to go

Loose cover (not on their wind) when they are sailing where you want

Stay between wind and competitors

Try to "herd" (baaaa!) your competitors all to one side

If you are faster and decide to attack - play the shifts more aggressively

If you are slower be conservative - stay near the middle and defend - consolidate

Set up for the finish long in advance

Try to select which end is favored on the downwind leg (closest end to leeward mark)

Never cross the line in the middle