Teams that use the pre start time effectively are the ones that are able to develop and execute effective game plans time and time again. Essentially you want to sail the course in miniature prior to the start so that the you can garner as much relevant info and utilize the practice time as best as you can.

Here is a suggested repertoire that you and your team can apply so that you can be in the best shape for when that warning flag is raised. Obviously, types of boats and racing areas , ( current v no current, lake v ocean) effect your emphasis on particular aspects of your performance but the fundamentals always apply. It would be good to develop your repertoire based on your particular needs but to always incorporate the basic concepts that we will cover in this article.

Now, ideally the team gets out at least one hour prior to the start and uses every minute to prepare and at a big regatta that should be your goal every day.

However, the author understands also about how tricky it can be for teams to get out of work in time -- especially for a beer can race and about how getting stuck in traffic is a reality of life and so one! So lets look at a repertoire that uses the time that we have as best as possible:

In Racing Mode! Practice and Observe.

First off get out to the line as soon as possible -- the minute you push off the dock you are in racing mode -- roll tacking, trimming the sails well and looking for breeze. Fly the spinnaker to the starting line if you can and practice some jibes, if you are going upwind then tack at last 7 or 8 times focusing on smooth steering, rolling the boat and building speed. As soon as you get to the start line-check in with the Race Committee, get the course (if it is posted) and then immediately head upwind on starboard tack.

Watch the compass carefully, fine tune the controls, look for the mark and get settled in sailing the boat with a consistent heel angle.

Take this time to start communicating puffs and waves and to open the team dialogue up. After a few minutes go ahead and tack on to port, note the compass heading and go fast.

After that practice a couple of tacks and then a spinnaker set and head back to the line, do a number of jibes and look back for breeze and note compass headings on both jibes -- your goal is to be on the headed jibe in breeze and in positive current.

As soon as you are back to the line, douse the spinnaker and practice a mark rounding (if there is a mark to use).

Start Line R & D:

Now it's time to see which end of the line is favored so jump on the line and run it on starboard tack, add 90 degrees and this will give you the "magic number" of a line square to the wind. Now go head to wind and compare the numbers, make a habit of being on starboard tack as well when you go head to wind to maintain right of way with potentially little steerage. All the #'s should be written down on the boat with a pencil in a place where the team can see them.

The Line is restricted:

If the line is restricted to another class then do your research, ( head to wind readings, observations) at the ends of the line where the air is clearest.

How do they look?

If the time left is minimal and the line is restricted then watch the start ahead of you to figure out the favored end, ( end of the line which is further upwind).

If they are coming off the line almost bow to stern on starboard tack then the wind has either shifted left a lot or the pin is very favored, if they are coming off the line almost beam to beam then the line is either square or the starboard end of the line is favored.

Check the laylines to the starting line: In your research here you want to check the starboard tack , ( and in many instances the port tack one too) layline to the end of the line you likely are going to want to start at by heading up to close-hauled in that area.

If the line is restricted then head up to close-hauled outside the line and get a feel for the angle and note the compass heading. Knowing this layline will prevent either barging at the committee boat or not even making the pin end -- we've all done both !!

If this is not practical because of traffic then watch other boats starts or angles very carefully.

Back down!

Be sure to back down top remove any weeds or kelp, try and do this away from other boats to give your self room to maneuver. We write down a reminder to do this on the boat! If a team has a propensity to bang corners upwind one may even write down -- " tacked recently ! ! " and other tactical reminders like "Don't go to an early layline" !

Track the wind!

You should plan on doing at least 4 head to wind readings in clear air while sailing around the pre start area. Your goal here is to know which phase the wind is in and how often it is shifting. As you sail around the starting line area keep watching the fleet(s) that may be starting ahead of you very carefully to see which side of the line and course is favored so that you can reassess your initial tactical assumptions that you may have made 10 or 15 minutes earlier.

There goes the warning signal ... game on! Your team is ready!