Today was interesting with the wind rotating around the cove the entire day. This resulted in 5 very different races and there was really no set place to start or side to go to. During the first 2 starts, the line was slightly pin favored and within the last 30 seconds it would shift severely pin favored. Since it was slightly pin favored, I aimed for aggressive starts on starboard near the pin creating the option to tack immediately. While some people got away with port tack starts, I felt more comfortable on starboard until after the start to roll over to port. Anyone who started on the line and tacked immediately was already set up in the top 6 boats right off the start. The course was short so staying bow towards the mark was huge. I was always sailing the lifted tack no matter what position I was in. I was always patient and waiting for the next wind direction rather than getting anxious and crossing the course when there was the possibility of something better. Rounding the windward mark, I would look upwind to determing my first 100 yards of the downwind. The boats that faired the best were the ones who were decisive at the windward mark either gybing immediately or sailing just a bit high then sailing by the lee to the leeward mark. The decision to do this should be done before the windward mark. The last three races the wind started coming more out of the south. Since I felt there would be more right in the wind, I decided to start in the middle of the line more towards the boat. I am not comfortable starting near the boat, so I try to find a spot where I can ensure I have a good start with speed and clean air rather than focusing on where on the line I should start. After the first windward leg in the 3rd race, the wind kept shifting to the point where when you rounded the leeward mark you were almost on layline. There is no good advice for this type of racing except get a great start, get in line and follow the leader around the course. Dan Hesse |
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