Starting Strategy

by Don MacClymont as seen in The Gam (Jacomo SC)

Hopefully this will be the first of some articles on sailboat racing strategies that I have used to some success. Unfortunately you always will find someone who does these and other things better than you but I hope you will find a few hints to better your racing record and beat that someone who always seems to beat you. Some of these strategies are in the many books written on the subject. I have eliminated the ones I do not use, not because they are bad but in my old age I have a tough enough time remembering the ones I like.

SOME GENERAL MENTAL RULES TO REMEMBER

1. You have as much right to that starting line as the next person.

2. Do not be intimidated. (Not even by those "bully" C Scows)

3. Be Confident - There is no better way to improve your boat handling skills than mixing it up on the starting line.

4. Be focused - No time for anything but quick hellos and good lucks to competitors. Guys - No looking at what's in that bathing suit. Gals - No looking at the "hard bellies".

5. Never - never - never end up in the "cheap seats". Be in the front row. If you are not over early at least 4 times a year, you are not consistently in the front row (or you are better at starting than I am).

6. Have a general knowledge of the rules when in the starting area. Luffing, port-starboard, and other rules that pertain to starts. However, the idea in starting is not to get in a situation where you or someone else has to use them.

7. Do not become bogged down or worried about rules.

Refer to #1, #2, & #3 above. The best way to learn is mixing it up at the start. In the heat of the battle someone might yell at you, but have a thick skin and sail on. Seerule #2. If you think you need to do a 720, do it. Usually it is a small price to pay for your transgression. This just means you have to sail the rest of the race a little harder. Then, over a beer, get together with the protestor and figure out where you went wrong.

With the above six rules implanted on the back of your eyelids for easy referral you are now ready for the mechanics of starting.

STARTING STRATEGIES

20 - 30 minutes before the start sequence

Sail up toward the weather mark to determine which of the tacks is the "lifted" tack (lifted tack is defined as the tack the boat is sailing which has the closest angle to the windward mark. This tack will get you to the windward mark the fastest). At the same time you are checking which side of the course has the heaviest air. (Hint, in a southwest wind when the main body is used as the course the west side usually has the best winds). While putting all this in storage in your brain try to determine how much the wind is oscillating, changing direction. And if possible the timing on these oscillations.

(Hint: On Jacomo if you can time these oscillations your better than I am. Usually the timing is almost as random as the oscillations). The idea is to get an average of the amount of oscillation and whether the time between oscillations is fast or slow.