Lessons learned from the Frigid Digit 2004.
- When the pin end of the starting line becomes favored at the start due to
a left hand shift, it is imperative to get on port tack immediately to gain a
lane and be in phase. The first 3 to 5 boats that tack to port gain a sweet
lane and are in phase, while those on starboard tack are left to choke in the
exhaust of the boats ahead and too leeward. Their were at least three races
like this.
- When in doubt as to what tack to be on going upwind, the general rule is
to take the tack that allows you to point closest to the mark. Ripples
appeared on the left a few times and those that broke this basic rule gained.
However the risk always goes up when you take a tack that leads away from the mark.
- (overheard Al Clark coaching one of his pups sailing in on Saturday) '
"When going upwind don't drag the leeward rail in the water." After hearing
this I watched how much heel Al was sailing with on Sunday. His leeward gunwale
was about 1 inch off the water and was exactly like this every time I looked
over at him. I must also say that Al looked like he was always going 25%
faster than all boats around him. See item 4 below to see how I think Al
accomplished this.
- (Most important lesson) Pinching in the light conditions come with a
price (side slippage). Sailing low and fast allows a minimum of leeward slip and
usually results in a significant advantage when the wind is between 2 and 4
knots. My view of the fleet is that this is the single biggest technique
difference between the top and bottom half of the fleet.
Comments?
Mike Johnson
161978
Received on Mon Feb 9 17:00:10 2004
