Tactics :- Where to start and Why

The start of any race is crucial, from one design racing to IRC handicap events, getting the jump on your opposition allows you to sail your race in clear air while casting a wind shadow on the chasing pack. 

A few seconds at the beginning of the race can develop into minutes as the rest of the fleet often struggles to find a clear lane to sail their own race. As with most things in our sport there are many variables to consider when selecting your starting position. This update show you at simple trick to pick the favoured end of the line. Getting this right will give you the maximum advantage over the rest of the fleet, putting you in the driving seat as you strive to start fast and extend a lead over the opposition. 

Read on or watch the video below to learn a simple technique which can be easily performed in the lead up to the start, it gives you all the information you need to know to select the favoured end of the line !

How to do it. 

Slowly approach the middle of the line on starboard tack, it can be performed on either tack, however starboard tack is recommended to ensure that you maintain right of way. As you approach the centre of this line round up into a head to wind position, coming to a standstill as close to the centre of the line as possible. 

Once stationary a member of the crew needs to take a transits across the centre of the boat determine the favoured end of the line. 

Taking the Transit

Take an imaginary line or transit across the centreline of the boat which is now perpendicular to the breeze, represented by the red dotted line passing through the centre of the boat. If the transit bisects the boat and pin end of the line, the line is even with no advantage at either end. 

If the transit is to windward of either end of the line, that end is favoured by the distance the transit is to windward of mark referencing the end of the line. Distance A1 is the lead you would have over a boat starting in the middle of the line if you started at the boat end. 

There are many other variables to getting the perfect start, some which we will review in future episodes. Following this Top Tip will give you single most important data point to help you plan the perfect place to start. 

Next time you are on the race course and you see a boat coming head to wind in the middle of the line you know that you have a tough competitor who is looking to be in front as soon as the gun goes. 

I hope you enjoyed this update and learned a new skill to added to your racing tool kit. 

Make sure you watch the imbedded video at the top of the post to see some animations on how it works and a racing example where team GTR calculates and then starts at a heavily favoured port end of the line. 

If you have any questions about this update or any other points of racing you would like me to explain leave the details in a comment below and I do my best to answer them for you.. 

Good luck on the race course and remember to "Race Smart" as it's FAST !!!!!