Improve Your Average Score - One Race at a Time

College Sailing coach Scott Ikle shares a number of ways to improve your average score, from smart starts to conservative upwind tactics.

Scott Ikle, head coach at Hobart and William Smith College, shares comprehensive, easy to follow guidelines for regatta success. The key is to improve your average score, not to go for broke and win any given race. The article is full of nuggets to help you accomplish this.

Open the link below to view the entire article. Key points are listed here:

Be fast in all conditions. Use the pre-regatta period and even the pre-race period to tune against others.
Start conservatively. Avoid an end unless it is heavily favored. Otherwise, start mid-line or in the favored 1/3.
Categorize the race as one of three types and adopt the corresponding strategy:
- Oscillating shifts – sail the lifted tack
- One side clearly favored – get to the favored side, but don’t go further than necessary to reach the advantage
- Unknown – sail conservatively, using the principles listed below
Conservative sailing principles:
- In general, sail the lifted tack. If you need to get clear air, tack back to the lifted tack as soon as possible.
- Lead boats to the next shift.
- Cross boats when you can to consolidate.
- Don’t let boats cross you.
- Avoid the corners and laylines.
- Take only educated gambles.
- Avoid focusing on one boat. Monitor the leaders or the group you are trying to compete against.
- Avoid big mistakes:
  - Breakdowns
  - Over the line early
  - Collisions and fouls (take your penalty if you do foul)