How to Negotiate a Starting Line in Sailboat Racing

Few moments in a sailboat race are more stressful and strategically important than the start. With good tactics and solid maneuvering, you can maintain clear air, a good sailing lane and full boat speed to get cleanly off the line.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Race Instructions
• Sailboat Racing Rule Book
• Binoculars
• Air Horns
• Binoculars
• Protest Flag
• Sailboats
• Stopwatches

1. Appoint a crewmember to call out traffic.

2. Assume that boats cannot see you and sail accordingly.

3. Reach along the length of the line and take notice of the wind direction, velocity, and boat speeds.

4. Look out for boats jockeying for position or fighting one another - stay clear of them.

5. Strive to find a hole with clean air where you'll have room to tack or jibe if necessary.

6. Be aware of the time remaining before the starting gun goes off.

7. Keep your crew quiet so the skipper and tactician can hear each other.

8. Know how many boat lengths you are from the line and how long it will take you to get there.

9. Try to hit the line heading upwind with maximum boat speed at the sound of the gun.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax and save your energy. You'll need it for the rest of the race.
• Implement a "two beers before the start" rule. You and your crew will be mellower and thankful for it.
• Most collisions in racing happen during the pre-start sequence. Drive defensively and communicate with your crew and those around you to avoid a crash.

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on 8/10/2006 Enter the starting line pin as a way point on your GPS, set your stop watch to count down from 5 minutes. When the 5 minute gun sounds , start your watch and press the "go to" button on your GPS for the "pin" way point. Then match your time remaining on the watch to the ETA on the GPS and you will be on the line just as the start gun sounds.