Highlights
For your SailZing editors, the major highlights of 2019 were our audience growth and the new directions that we are taking. Users are responding positively to our increased video content, including drone video analysis, tutorial presentations, and our Tactical IQ roundtables. We also ventured into “hands-on” help with a pilot mentoring program.
The response to our content affirms our belief that we can make a difference by breaking down the complex sport of sailing into nuggets you can use to sail faster and smarter.
In 2019, we posted 60 new, substantive, website articles, including nine new original SailZing videos. Our website readership more than doubled for the second year in a row. Our YouTube views increased from around 26K views in 2018 to over 72,000 views in 2019.
Popular Posts and Videos
Here are the most popular categories and posts/videos from 2019.
#1. Racing Rules Articles and Quizzes
The racing rules articles we developed in 2018 to support the ILYA #FairSailing initiative continue to be our most popular content. We added articles on more complex scenarios in 2019 as well as a level 2 quiz. Readers are most interested in Rules 17, 18, 19, and 20.
#2. Upwind Strategy and Tactics
This includes visits to our upwind strategy and tactics category on the website and views of two videos/posts: Sail in Clear Air and Ladder Rungs.
#3. Upwind Sailing Technique
This includes our posts on Mainsail Telltales – A Better Approach, Solve Common Pointing Problems, and our video/post on Lift and Drag – Avoid Common Sail Trim Errors.
#4. Other Popular Individual Posts and Videos
- Changing Trailer Wheel Bearings
- Starting Tactics – Six Tactical IQ Scenarios
- Using a Race Compass: When and How
Contributors and Sources
At SailZing, we believe we can add the most value by seeking insights from a variety of sources. Maybe one of these sources will say something in a unique way that makes sense to you. We’ve managed to gather insights from over 95 sailors and authors, through books, online articles, and direct contributions. Thanks to all our contributors and sources from 2017, 2018, and 2019, listed below!
| Alan Williams | Doug Peckover | Michael Barr | Ron Baerwitz |
| Andy Burdick | Eddie Cox | Michael Blackburn | Ryan Grosch |
| Annie Haeger | Eric Hood | Michael Lynch | Sarah Ayton |
| Ben Richardson | Eric Twiname | Mike Brown | Saskia Clark |
| Bill Colburn | Frank Bethwaite | Mike Considine | Scott Ikle |
| Bill Draheim | Gary Jobson | Mike Ingham | Shevy Gunter |
| Brian Brickler | Gary Werden | Mike Kaiser | Shirley Robertson |
| Brian Porter | Greg Fisher | Moose McClintock | Steve Cockerill |
| Buddy Melges | Henry Chesnutt | Nick Thompson | Steve Colgate |
| Carol Cronin | Jack Behrend | Noel Neuman | Steve Irish |
| Dan Guidinger | Jeremy Pape | Pat Welscher | Stuart Walker |
| Dan Quiram | Jim Gluek | Penny Clark | Ted Keller |
| Dave Davenport | John Porter | Peter Isler | Tom Slingsby |
| Dave Dellenbaugh | Jon Emmet | Peter Keck | Tom Whidden |
| Dave Helmick | Kenny Wolfe | Peter Vaiciurgis | Vaughan Harrison |
| Dave Perry | Kent Haeger | Rick White | Vince Driessen |
| Dave Porter | Luke Ramsey | Rob Overton | Vincent Porter |
| Dave Ullman | Mark Bethwaite | Rob Seidelmann | Will Hendershot |
| Matt Fisher | Fletcher Walters | Arvil Gentry | Zack Clayton |
| Bill Gladstone | Peter VanKampen | Chris Kubicek | Jeff Lippert |
| Bill Hudson | Mike Keenan | Charlie Buckingham | Bob Cole |
| Brent Penwarden | Will Demand | Herman van Beek | Bruce Goldsmith |
| David Houghton | Po Bronson | Timothy Gallwey | Richard Beers |
| Will Haeger | Natalie Sinn | Ashley Merriman |
Thank you!
We appreciate your support for the SailZing approach of free, learning-focused content. We’re honored to bring it to you in support of our sport and look forward to 2020!
