3/14/13  

1  

Learn to Win March 13, 2013

What we’ll cover… 1.  Confidence-The Winning System

•  Goals, preparation and two boat tuning

2.  Crew selection, Training and Tuning 3.  Race Day 4.  The Start

•  Five starting techniques

5.  First, Second, Third and Fourth Legs 6.  C Course Tips

3/14/13  

2  

The 10,000 Hour Rule “Outliers “

Malcolm Gladwell

“You don’t play the game, the game plays you” Phil Jackson

Over 50% of the race is won before you leave the dock.

That is why practice and preparation is so important.

Your boat has to be bullet proof. Everything on your boat must work.

3/14/13  

3  

CONFIDENCE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO WIN-IT IS WHAT YOU NEED TO

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS.

Practice is preparation, and preparation is what provides

confidence. The more that you practice the more

confident you will be.

GOALS MAKE OR BREAK YOU

WHY GOALS ARE IMPORTANT Goals build CONFIDENCE and CONFIDENCE WINS RACES Goals ENSURE PROGRESS

HOW TO SET REALISTIC GOALS Goals should be incremental towards a Big Goal Goals should be small initially, with larger steps Goals must be incrementally measurable and achievable

3/14/13  

4  

GOALS MAKE OR BREAK YOU

Examples of achievable goals: 1.  Finished 4th in DRYA, then 2nd this year. 2.  Won 2 races last year, then 4 this year. 3.  30th in Nationals last year, top 18 this year, top 10

in two years, top 5 in three.

Spare  Parts  

Parts on Board Parts on Shore

Tiller Extension and Swivel Compass Full set of battens + battens for extreme conditions

Windex

Shackles, lashing line, tool bag Full suit of sails Rip Stop, Scissors, telltales, Duct Tape, Dr. Shrink

Mast, Boom, Spin Pole, or know where you will get them immediately

Flag Chart, Extra Sailing Instructions Keel Plug Rule Book Nico press and big pop riveter

Spare Handheld radio, hand bearing compass, binoculars

Spare lines, halyards and sheets

Have two of everything Tiller

3/14/13  

5  

THE TO-DO LIST AT THE

REGATTA

PRIORITY 1.  SAFETY 2.  RELIABILITY 3.  SPEED 4.  COMFORT

Vince Brun, example of a San Diego expert

Notes from a Vince Brun Interview: •  No Heavy Air sails needed

Only light and medium jim Fuller up high

•  Race Committee may start races in 5-6 knots

•  Need to use a double taper top batten •  More draft stripes lower in the sail •  Loosen Spinnaker Halyard in light air •  Dying Breeze favors the Left Side •  Filling Breeze favors the Right Side •  Floss for Kelp on the runs

3/14/13  

6  

REPLICATING YOUR SPEED

BACKSTAY IS MARKED EVERY 1.5

INCHES WITH DIFFERENT COLOR

THREADS TO REPLICATE

SETTINGS AT ANY TIME

REPLICATING YOUR SPEED ADJUSTMENT MARKING

BACKSTAY DIMENSION: YARN, MARKER, CALIBRATED TAPE; PRESSURE IS FOR SAFETY, NOT FOR TUNING

HEADSTAY/FORESTAY DIMENSION: STICK, BATTEN PADDLE, TAPE MEASURE

SHROUNDS DIMENSION: CHECK TENSION AT INITIAL SET UP, SAG IN LEEWARD SHROUD WHEN SAILING UPWIND

ALL SHEETS AND HALYARDS DIMENSIION: MARK WITH SEWN THREAD OR SHARPIE

TRAVELER, JIB TRACKS DIMENSION: SHARPIE ON DECK

Spinnaker Pole Topping Lift Sewn thread

3/14/13  

7  

•  Two boat tuning is the foundation of all boat speed development in one design racing.

•  You must know how to do it properly to win a major regatta.

•  You must tune before every race. •  The initial line up is critical. •  You must have an open and honest partner for this

to really pay off.

TWO BOAT TUNING

•  When two teams cooperate learning is improved at a faster rate.

•  Sails and trim can be tested and validated quickly - you do not have to wait until regatta time.

•  Each team pushes each other to excel.

TWO BOAT TUNING Why it WORKS

3/14/13  

8  

• 70% of your time in the boat should be on two boat tuning or speed testing.

• 30% of your time should be spent on crew

work and practice.

• This may different for every team, or every type of boat-this is the ratio we like to use.

TWO BOAT TUNING How to choose your partner

 

TWO BOAT TUNING Rules of Engagement

•  Each boat should sail as they normally would during a race.

•  The windward boat should not try and reach over the leeward boat.

•  The leeward boat should not try and pinch off the windward boat.

3/14/13  

9  

THE CORRECT LINE UP

SIGHT  LINE  

LADDER  RUNG  

TWO BOAT TUNING Upwind

SIGHT  LINE  

THE SIGHT LINE ANGLE HAS NOT CHANGED BY THE BOAT BUT THE STRINIG LENGTH BETWEEN HELMSMEN IS SHORTER-LOST A LADDER RUNG

DO NOT BE FOOLED, YOU ARE LOSING TO THE LEEWARD BOAT BECAUSE OF THE LADDER RUNG YOU ARE ON

LADDER  RUNG  

TWO BOAT TUNING

3/14/13  

10  

TWO BOAT TUNING Leeward boat faster

SIGHT  LINE  

LADDER  RUNG  

Crew Selection Training Tuning

3/14/13  

11  

 

   

Crew Selection

• Most important decision is the crew, not the sails.

• Beer can races can be good for initial compatibility determination.

• Quiet boat is a fast boat.

 

   

Training and Tuning

• Train early in the Season-Old Sails. •  Sets, gybes, tacks, pumping and rocking.

• Must train in all conditions, light, medium, heavy.

• Practice Gear Changing-who does what. • Have your sailmaker sail with you. • Two Boat tuning-focus on height with same

speed. •  Helps you start and stay in clear air.

3/14/13  

12  

 

   

Training and Tuning (cont.)

• Headstay length and sag. • Proper mast bend and main luff curve matching. • Balanced helm, 1-1/2 lbs of weather helm. • NEVER SAIL WITH LEE HELM. • Record all good speed settings in logbook. • Photograph your sails and commit shape to

memory. • Compare new sails to old sails. • Keep a LOG of your settings and mark all

sheets, halyards, traveler, stays, tracks, etc.

 

   

New Sails

• Photograph Sails when they are new-send copy of photo to sailmaker to ensure proper shape and trim - did you receive what your ordered?

• When sails get older you can photograph them again and compare to see how they age-important if you do not get new sails frequently.

• Luff curves and leaches need attention over time.

3/14/13  

13  

TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND ANALYZE YOUR TRIM

 

   

Race Day

•  Read Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions. •  Plastic laminate Sailing Instructions and have onboard •  Designated expert on SI’s onboard.

•  Watch weather pattern for racecourse 5-7 days ahead of regatta. “Good Fiction”

•  Sailflow •  Sailing Weather Service (Chris Bedford) •  Commander’s •  GP Sail Club (www.gpsc.org)

•  Have all tide information on board. •  Know sail selection, have all sails on board for the day. •  De-louse the boat before you leave - no extra gear. •  First Boat to leave the dock and first boat on course.

3/14/13  

14  

 

   

Race Day

• Start wind readings at GP Park, when leaving the river.

• 8-10 wind readings before start, minimum. Typically every 5 minutes; record direction and speed if it is puffy.

P W S 125 90 8:30 35 120 85 8:45 30 125 80 8:50 35 120 85 9:00 30 115 80 9:05 25 110 75 9:10 20 105 70 9:15 15 110 65 9:20 20 115 70 9:25 25

Course– 4 Direction– 90 L length– 1.5

FROM COMMITTEE

BOAT

WRITTEN ON DECK

3/14/13  

15  

Get Your Head Out of the Boat

• ALWAYS SAIL TO THE RACECOURSE WHEN POSSIBLE.

• Lake St. Clair is more honest that many other venues - BELIEVE ME!

• Know your venue! • Current and tide-always check on lobster

pots and marks - know time of change. • Observe clouds.

•  Updraft and downdraft clouds. •  Know how edges of clouds affect wind strength

and direction.

Race Day

• Always racing-even before the race. • Crew meeting before start - get everyone's input. • Know your boat’s strengths.

• Light-medium-heavy conditions? • Stay away from your weaknesses!

• Back Up before start to clear weeds from keel and rudder.

• After clearing keel, sheet in and time how long it takes to attain full speed.

• Remember: 6 knots = 10ft/sec.

3/14/13  

16  

Race Day

• Calculate approximate number of shifts on upwind leg so that you know how many times you may have to tack.

• Sail up the course at least twice to get a feel for the proper sail selection and settings.

• Now is when you connect with your tuning partner, both up and down wind.

• FULL RACE MODE NOW. • Share any information with partner.

•  Height and speed observations. •  Help each other as needed.

Race Day

•  If favored side is undetermined, then split tacks with tuning partner and see who wins.

• Start near middle of line. • Sail 3-5 minutes and tack simultaneously and

see which side gains. • Determine tacking and gybing angles. • No beer prior to racing (excepting weekdays!). • Always watch starts before yours to verify

favored end of line and side of course.

3/14/13  

17  

The Start-Types

• Communicate Game Plan to Team. • 1 or 2 wind shoots to confirm wind and favored

end of starting line and course. • 70% of the race is lost at the start. • 5 basic starting techniques.

•  Port End Approach •  Starboard Tack luff approach •  Mid Line conservative approach •  Vanderbilt timed start •  Dip Start (good on Tuesday nights!)

2 min.

WIND  

Five Starts

0°

Distance to line

3/14/13  

18  

The Start-Where to Start

• Divide line into 25% increments. • Decide where we want to start and make timed

runs to that area of the line. • Visualize the spot for the ideal start. • Very few boats win an end, so gauge traffic. • We typically start 15% from either end of the line. • Be sure to record course from Committee Boat

and write upwind and downwind directions on deck.

The Start-the Favored End

• Four ways to determine the Favored End. •  Run the line and record compass reading. •  Add or subtract 90o to obtain “square wind.”

• Elvstrom Technique. •  Run line with fixed sheets, tack and see if you are

over or under trimmed. If under trimmed new tack is towards favored end.

• Eyeball - only do when you are late. •  Starboard Cross.

• Watch other boats cross line trimmed in or wind shoots.

3/14/13  

19  

WIND  

270°

0°

C - 10° D - 1.5

The Start

•  Shore Sight •  Run line and sight spot on shore.

•  Be near Committee Boat at 5 minutes if line is less than 2.5 minutes long.

•  Time length of line and calculate time to get to your spot.

•  Always gybe at left end of line and tack at the right end of line. Tacking from the port end always puts you in the traffic lane and too close to the starting line.

•  Helmsman must concentrate on immediate traffic. •  Crew counts time out loud at 20 seconds to go.

3/14/13  

20  

The Start

•  Last approach to the line should be a tack. •  Constant input regarding distance to line so Helmsman

can go into power mode. Give constant distance to leeward boat.

•  Forget the bad start immediately and concentrate on finding a hole or take transoms to clear.

•  Know the competition and possibly start near them. •  Sail your own race. •  Even though you are on starboard tack doesn’t mean

you have the right of way. •  Bottom line get comfortable with your own starting style

and repeat it so everyone knows on the boat what to expect.

First Leg •  Know the game plan – try to stick to it. •  70% of the time the first shift is a header. •  Immediately after the gun know what compass mode you are in: up, down or

median. •  Break the fleet into a percentage over the race course. •  Immediate input as to lee bow, gaining, same, higher, lower. •  Give input constantly for five minutes after the start so the helmsman gets comfort

zone. •  Start watching the corners. •  Always sail the longest tack first. •  Determine which side is looking better and sail to it if possible. •  First crossing group – discuss how you want to approach the group before it gets

there. If you’re behind it usually pays to tack underneath the group and wait for the shift to go back your way, if oscillating.

•  Continue past the group if it’s a persistent shift to the other side. •  Hail / ask boats well in advance of either “Cross or Starboard” so you can trim

accordingly. Make sure they respond/confirm. •  Stay to the edge of a group for minor leverage. •  Stay out of the middle and work to a side. •  Do not shoot a corner on the first leg – only unless a current or tide dictate.

3/14/13  

21  

•  Use a hand bearing compass to confirm your laylines. •  Always point your boat at the mark. •  To confirm the favored tack – use the shoulder technique. •  If unsure of what to do against a group of boats duck them rather than a slam

tack and remember how long it takes you to get up to speed. Its better to sail in clear air rather than trying to pinch someone off. If possible stay away from groups of boats.

•  If out on the lay line start ducking boats. •  Approaching lay lines stay5-8 boat lengths below the mark so you have room

for another tack and especially on the port tack layline so you are outside the 3 boat length zone. Having to duck starboard wall of boats kills a race.

•  Defend a starboard tack approach to the mark by sailing fuller at your competition to the mark and don’t ease your sheets.

•  There is no such thing as “Bank” on the lay line. Over standing is lost distance. •  Set game plan for the run when you are 10 boats lengths from the mark. Usually

left on the beat makes right on the run favored. •  At the mark make sure everyone is ready for the next transition; if some is not

ready do not make the maneuver.

First Leg

WIND  

270°

20%

50%

80%

starting line

3/14/13  

22  

WIND  

Puff

Puffs and dark water Puffs fan out when they hit the water so try to position your boat on the bottom of the fan to be lifted up thru the puff. Typically when you enter a puff you get headed and then lifted up thru the boat acceleration.

Second Leg Downwind

•  Sail long gybe first if possible on the headed gybe. Up in the lulls and down In the puffs.

•  Make move early right after the mark, whether is stay high in the passing lane or dive low if there is gap in the fleet.

•  Determine gybe angle and favored heading, stay on headed if oscillating or gybe away first if there is a persistent shift then gybe back later into the shift.

•  Position you boat on the side of a group for minor leverage. Stay away from the middle and bouncing between sides.

•  Wind shadow effect is bigger than you think so stay out of it. •  Go thru downwind check list, backstay, traveler ease, vang tighten and pull

mast forward if possible. •  Keep weight in boat low and centered so the helm can feel the boat

accelerate. •  Constant communication between helm, trimmer and tactician. •  Break down leg again into % usually it pays to gybe first from a group

closer to a lay line and stay in clear air.

3/14/13  

23  

•  Know your boats downwind characteristics reacher or runner. Down wind is all technique.

•  Protect the inside advantage if possible closer near the mark.

•  Prior to the drop talk about the up wind leg. Note any transitions in the wind as the day goes on conditions change.

•  Go thru the spin drop check list, halyard coiled, backstay on, traveler on and replicate up wind settings. Spend your lead near the bottom mark. Raise jib and drop spinnaker early and get your boat ready to go back up wind. If you are back in the pack. Take the time to have a good rounding rather than waiting to the last second to drop and to be pushed to the outside. Make the drop when everyone is ready.

•  Communicate with you competitors about overlaps and when entering the 3 boat circle. Let them know in advance.

•  Make your mark rounding wide from the outside and tight on the left side of the mark.

•  Fleet is usually well established so concentrate on getting past the boats around you.

•  Take a clearing tack to get the boat moving and in clear air.

•  Usually the fleet is sailing the most efficient course so if you are going to leverage against it do it early. Pick a side and go.

•  If you are leading around the mark, tack on half of your lead to starboard and tack back to port when the 2nd place boat is rounding so you are directly in front and up wind.

•  If you are leading try to “herd” the fleet to a side by a loose cover thereby reducing the fleet’s ability to take a flyer to the other corner. Try to keep the fleet compact. Look at the odds if a boat or group take a flyer.

•  Stay above the fleet on the lifted tack and in front of the fleet sailing into the header. Watch for boats going around your stern to a side. Tack if you have to.

•  Be flexible with you game plan because the conditions are changing.

Third Leg Beat

3/14/13  

24  

•  Know your plan and side.

•  Know if you are going to attack or defend. Its better to defend from a low position, to luff or gybe away. Attack from a high position to sail over and shadow or gybe to the inside.

•  Be aggressive in your boat handling and try to catch every wave possible.

•  Consolidate your lead if winning by staying between the competition and the mark.

•  If behind try to sail lower angles than the leaders.

Fourth Leg Run

2 min. de-brief as to what worked and what didn’t.

The good moves and crew mistakes.

Possible sail change and rig tune.

Post Race

3/14/13  

25  

C COURSE TIPS

KEY ELEMENTS TO UNDERSTANDING THE C COURSE

WIND TWIST ACROSS THE COURSE “THE MAYOR” HOW THE WIND FILLS CURRENT GRADIENT-LIGHT AIR SHIFT

C COURSE TIPS

3/14/13  

26  

C  

4  CLASSIC  DIRECTIONS    NORTH    EAST    SOUTH    WEST  

C COURSE TIPS

C  

NORTH WIND (10-15) •  TYPICALLY A LOW TO THE EAST •  EARLY OR LATE IN THE SEASON •  AVOID STARBORD LAYLINE •  BIG LIFTS ON PORT THAT DO NOT MOVE DOWN •  WATCH FOR BACKING OF THE

BREEZE LATER IN THE DAY •  WATCH FOR CURRENT ON LEFT

SIDE UP WIND AND RIGHT SIDE DOWN WIND

C COURSE TIPS

3/14/13  

27  

C  

EAST WIND (5-10) •  TYPICALLY A HIGH IN CANADA •  TYPICALLY JUNE-AUG MORNING •  AVOID PORT LAYLINE (CURRENT) •  BE ON THE LEFT GOING TO THE RIGHT

(SHORE EFFECT LIFT) •  STAY RIGHT ON THE RUNS •  CAN CLOCK ALL DAY LONG

C COURSE TIPS

C  

SOUTH WIND (5-15) •  TYPICALLY A HIGH TO THE EAST •  TYPICALLY JULY-AUG MORNING •  AVOID CORNERS (FAVORED SIDE

MAY CHANGE EVERY RACE) •  HAVE SEEN LEFT PAY ON THE RUN

EVEN AT END OF LEG •  GENERAL RIGHT SHIFT OVER THE DAY •  SHIFTS ARE + 200 SO BE PATIENT

C COURSE TIPS

COAL  PILE  

3/14/13  

28  

C  

WEST WIND (5-15) •  THIS IS THE “MAYOR” •  TYPICALLY A HIGH TO THE SOUTH •  TYPICALLY JULY-AUG AFTERNOON •  ON THE LEFT GOING TO THE RIGHT •  WARMER IT IS, THE STRONGER THE

BREEZE •  BUILDS ALL AFTERNOON •  WAIT FOR YOUR SHIFT

C COURSE TIPS

Thank You!