Starting for Success with North Sails

What is your primary objective when starting a sailboat race?

Elements to a Good Start – Keep your objective in mind 1.Ability to follow your game plan 2.Clear air 3.Boat speed 4.On time

Skills Specific to Starting - Time/speed/distance awareness (practice this skill continuously) - Communication between trimmers/helm/tactician - Coordination between trimmers/helm - Close quarters boat handling for positioning - Sail trim for maximum acceleration and speed

Pre-Start Data Gathering Determine: - Bearing of line for use in calculating favored end - Length of line (in minutes/seconds) - Starboard tack laylines to each end (for upwind starts) - Line sight (transit), ideally for each end - Regular head to wind bearings (compare to line bearing to determine upwind end) 2 minute intervals - Current set and drift - Anything available for timed run (crab trap, other transits) - Competitors’ strengths and weaknesses

Gather Information Before Start

Start Line

Starting Techniques - Approaches - Timed Run (a.k.a. Vanderbilt start) - Viable only in small fleets - Many variations (develop your own) - Doesn’t account for traffic, changes in wind strength/direction - Port Tack - Against the grain to find hole - Attack/defend techniques - Timing of turnaround and risks - Layline awareness - Boatspeed considerations

Starting Techniques continued.. - Half Speed Start - Final approach made down speed on starboard tack while “prowling” for a starting lane - vulnerable to port tack and trailing boats - Creating and Protecting Your Domain - The purpose of a “hole to leeward” - Avoid getting rolled by weather boat - Watch for boat approaching from behind - vulnerability issues - Avoid setting up to close to the line unless conditions dictate - Communication with competitors

Starting Techniques continued.. - Danger Areas - “Barging” at starboard end - Unable to “fetch” port end (caught below layline) - Still on port tack with time running short - Close to the line with many boats to leeward & excess time remaining - Beyond port end on starboard tack

Recovering From a Bad Start Stop the Hemorrhaging! Early recognition of bad circumstances will help make a better recovery -Don’t try to make something out of nothing -Determine the shortest path to clear air -Get back on your game plan as quick as possible

Remember your primary objective for starting is to setup for a good finish!