FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jake Fish
US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
(401) 683-0800
Bill Gladstone of North U. has provided US SAILING members with another racing tip this week... Distance racing offers a set of challenges that differ from round-the-buoys day racing. Here are three tips from North U. Director Bill Gladstone on how to navigate better in distance racing:
1. Sail Toward the Finish Line: (Wow, really?)
Never mind the original rhumb line. Aim toward the finish. More boats win races with this simple strategy than any other. Don’t over think the strategy. Until you have a good reason to do something else just aim toward the finish.
2. Sail Fast: (Gee, another breakthrough idea…)
You can sail fast toward the finish, but often if you sail just a little high or low of the rhumb line you go much faster. Sailing 10 degrees off course increases sailing distance less than 2% and will often make you much faster. Sailing 15 degrees high or low increases the distance less than 4%... A distance race is defined as a race where the weather will change. The idea is to sail the course that puts you closer to the finish. If you sail a little further but much faster, you win. In short races, what goes up must come down, and sailing off course does not pay, but who knows what will be up or down at sunrise tomorrow… So sail fast.
3. The Weather Factor
Gather weather information from every available source. Stay away from high pressure, and position yourself to take advantage of new breeze, but beware sailing the forecast instead of the wind, or you may find yourself in perfect position for a weather change that happens later than expected (or never happens).
* These tips are derived from the North U. Tactics CD and North U Tactics book. These resources offer more complete coverage of distance racing, including polars... Stay tuned next week for more distance racing tips.
North U. has partnered with US SAILING to provide our members with a couple great discounts.
- US SAILING members save $30 on North U. 2010 Race Trim Seminars.
- Purchase Learn the Racing Rules (2-DVD set) with Dave Dellenbaugh.
$60.00 Retail
$49.95 Members
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.