If there was ever a black box of hidden knowledge, this was it. When in a jam, it worked to perfection. Far behind, it allowed me to chomp on the competitors heels. This strategy is what propelled my career and boat into winning races. This same tactic was passed down from one of my old instructors; now an Olympic sailor. And now I’ll pass that knowledge down:
Note: Oscillating Shift Only
Beat the Others to the Next Shift
(when behind)
When behind, be the first to the shift. When following others don’t sail behind there transom. Be on the favored tack(likely the one everyone else is on). Make sure you have a clean lane of air while on the favored tack. Tack when the others tack(when those boats hit the first shift).
At this point, bare off a bit to gain more speed to enable yourself; to beat them to the next shift.
When the second shift hits, tack immediately. (This is when you close the gap) While in the new shift, before the others, sailing a higher coarse, your boat is gaining distance. Of coarse you only gain distance until the others are on the same tack as you.
In conclusion, by doing this you’ll reposition your boat and the fleet. All the while, your boat is in the new shift and they’re not: you are gaining. You might bite the dust for a bit when you tack not on the puff, but it will pay off the next shift.
So what to do when ahead?
It’s the same game plan, but easier.
Again, start out on the favored tack. When the first shift comes tack. Likewise, on the second shift tack again. (On Inland lakes oscillating wind shifts come about every puff. However, sailing on larger waters, wind shifts may be delayed many puffs. You better test this before racing.)
This has been the bread and butter of my sailing strategy. It has worked time, and time again. No matter what situation, behind or ahead, it still works. It’s all geometric. You sail a worse angle, faster, only to get to a puff that allows you to sail the highest angle at top speed in the breeze.
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