Upwind Tactics Principles
Some experts say that strategy is more important than tactics. Good strategy gets you around the course faster, but it’s
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Speed and Smarts
Get Your Head out of the Boat and Sail by Feel!
“Get your head out of the boat” and “Sail by Feel” are both great pieces of advice for racing sailors,
Get Your Head out of the Boat and Sail by Feel! Read Post »
Manage Upwind Helm Balance for Speed and Feel
Struggling with boat speed? Want to sail more by feel? Understanding and managing helm balance will help. In this post
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Avoid Tacking in Lulls; Be Prepared to Tack in Puffs
Recently, I talked to a sailing instructor who got the opportunity to crew for a top-notch sailor in a national
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Cloud Strategy: Chelsea Carlson (Sea Tactics)
We’ve all heard advice on how to use clouds as part of your race strategy. Most of what I’ve heard
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Tactical Intelligence: Manage Your Thought Process
Successful sailors know how to manage their thought process during the race. In The Sailing Cycle, we described Zack Clayton’s
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Cross, Tack, or Duck? Ask the Right Questions
Crossing situations force you to evaluate options, sometimes rather quickly. Asking the right questions will help you make a better
Cross, Tack, or Duck? Ask the Right Questions Read Post »
Downwind Strategy Mistakes Part 2: More Ways to Get Passed
In a previous post, we described four downwind strategy mistakes that cause sailors to lose places quickly. We had seen
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Racing Strategy: ILYA Fast Forward Seminar
The ILYA, Roble/Shea Sailing, and SailZing, LLC are partnering to bring you a series of video webinars with ILYA’s Olympic
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Simplified Tacking Lines for Better Judgments
How’s your sense of geometry on the race course? Can you make quick and accurate judgments about laylines, who’s ahead,
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Favored Side of the Course: Make Better Decisions
It’s ten minutes before the start and you’re formulating strategy. Should you pick a favored side, or just sail the
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Ducking: Decide and Execute
Ducking another boat is something you don’t want to do often. As Stuart Walker says, “Don’t let ’em cross.” But
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Strategic Priorities in Light Air and Breeze: Speed and Smarts
In Speed and Smarts #130, Dave Dellenbaugh provides a simple graph to help you determine strategic priorities for a race.
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Major Mistakes: Here are Twelve You Can Avoid
The great helms[people] are those who are able to recognize the imminence of major mistakes and act to avoid them
Major Mistakes: Here are Twelve You Can Avoid Read Post »
Flat Water Steering: Six Tips to Sail Smoother and Faster
How smooth are you at flat water steering? Minimizing rudder movement is key to good boat speed. If you answer
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Leeward Mark Rounding Paths – Strategic or Tactical Rounding
Racing sailors face a constant stream of strategic and tactical decisions. In the heat of a situation, it’s easier to
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