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spinnaker fills, the genoa is dropped and our team settles down for the
trek downwind to the leeward mark. The skipper eyes the 5 boats that
have rounded ahead - "let's pass some boats gang"."Good
puff coming down the center" says the foredeck, "pressure is
good on the sheet- you can sail 5 degrees lower if you want to"
chimes in the middle. "Happy with pole height ?" asks the
foredeck. "Air is clear, although "Mohawk" is very close,
so work down if you can" the foredeck adds. The skipper says-
" I 've got the mark- it's at 11 a clock- this looks like the long
Jibe".
Downwind boatspeed is a
combination of trimming, boat placement, communication and crew weight
placement. When these elements are harnessed , the team pulls away from
the pack and solidifies its position in the front group of boats ! Lets
look at the key elements:
Trim: - Make sure all the
mainsail controls are eased - the outhaul and cunningham. - Check the
vang tension- is the top baton parallel to the boom? - Check the
backstay is eased all the way and the aft lowers are eased completely. -
If you have a mast puller device, (to rake the mast forward) then make
sure that is on. Raking the mast forward (of straight up and down
position) will move the "Center of Effort" in your sail plan
forward and help the boat bear away in the puffs. Be careful not to rake
the mast forward too much as we have learned there are diminishing
returns on this. Mainsail trim: If running- be careful not to over trim-
ease the sail out as far as you can for max projection. On reaches -
make sure you keep the sail on the verge of luffing. Overtimming is
common- keep easing as much as you can . A sail which is on the verge of
luffing will re attach flow twice as fast as a sail that is stalled or
too tight.
Spinnaker Trim - The middle crew should devote all of their attention on
easing the sheet out, critiquing pole height and pole angle - as well as
communicating how the pressure is on the sheet.
Pole height -- Check where the sail is curling on the luff- if curling
high- lower the pole to give the sail better balance. If the sail is
curling low on the luff then then raise the pole to give the sail more
projection. -- Ideally the inboard and out board ends of the pole are
even to get max projection of the pole. - Make sure the pole isn't
bouncing - check the windward twang is on enough to stop this. - Another
way of evaluating pole height is to get the center seam of the spinnaker
vertical with the horizon. This will give you good balance. When
Reaching: We recommend you carry the pole a little lower to keep the
slot wide and to provide a wider steering groove.
Sheet and Guy trim: - Once in a while try squaring the pole aft- keep
checking that it is perpendicular to the apparent wind. - Keep easing
the sheet out and talking about how much pressure there is on the sheet.
- Don't let the boat get too low in the lulls. - Remember- "up in
the lulls- down in the puffs".
Boat Placement: - In order to go fast we have to be doing 4 things: -
Sailing in clear air. - In velocity. - Jibing to get to more velocity! -
Communicate effectively. In order to do this I suggest you break the
crew duties down to these:
Skipper: Steering the boat fast and smoothly- always knowing where the
mark is and keeping track of the compass. Making sure the boat is well
positioned. Encouraging team input.
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Middle:
Talking pressure on the sheet and trimming constantly- "pressures
down- come up 5 degrees- hold- that's good". The middle should have
a really good rapport with the foredeck - asking them how we are
comparing to other boats boatspeed. and angle.
Foredeck: Looking back for velocity- this is Of paramount importance! -
Checking if our air is clear, (by lining up our Windex and seeing if it
is pointing at other boats sail plans that are within 8 to10 mast
lengths of us.)
- Keeping the team informed of
where the mark is !
- Evaluating if it would be good to jibe to line up with a puff.
- Telling the skipper about the angles of other boats- "they
sailing 5 degrees higher- same speed, they are sailing 5 degrees lower
and slower". Also giving info on boats that have jibed away and how
they are comparing- is it a Net gain? Net loss? Net even?
- The whole Team Should be Ready to jibe at a moments notice- Rehearse
in your mind what you have to do in order to jibe quickly, smoothly and
with speed.
- If you are steering- getting in position to jibe the mainsail and
steer smoothly.
- If you are the middle- Pre trimming the leeward trim a little so the
pole doesn't sky after the jibe. Rolling the boat with your body,
squaring the pole back and easing the sheet out smoothly and then
releasing the old twing.
- If you are the Foredeck - be ready to "spring" up and jibe
the pole and then sit down again and keep looking back for velocity as
soon as you can. The jibe should never be a surprise for the crew
because they have been involved with the boatspeed and tactical
communication!
Extra checklist: Hydrate- pass
the water around and have a chocolate bar or quick snack if the team is
low energy.
- Double check the sailing instructions to see if the start/ finish line
is restricted and look to see if the race Committee is on station with
the on station flag flying.
- Check for kelp.
- If there is a pack of boats slowing you down and the jibe angles seem
even- then consider Jibing away from them so you can be in clear air and
sailing fast. Just as importantly, you are sailing your own race and not
being dictated too by the pack!
- Encourage other boats to not play games and to sail fast for the
common good of catching the leaders and to solidify your position if you
are in the lead group.
- If it is choppy-get your weight low to reduce pitching.
Look at all downwind legs as a way to make big gains- that way if you
find yourself behind - it won't be for long!!
Quick Kerr Bio ! Co owner with Chris Winnard of 3 time
S20 National Champion "Disaster Area" , North U Seminars
speaker and coach, J World sailing Schools rep and staff trainer,
"Sailing World " contributor, 2000 J24 National champion, 3rd-
2000 J24 World Championships. |