Clearing your air- After you duck behind a boat upwind make sure you
continue for a few boat lenghts to insure clear air. If you tack to
soon you risk falling into the other boats lee. - 24/04/2001
Observation-There are plenty of tactical clues on the race
course.Reading these clues increases the accuracy of your decisions.
When racing with different fleets look ahead to see what's
happening.Their sailing angles will help you predict the next shift! -
17/04/2001
Rules- Make sure you get a copy of the new rules which became effective
on April 1. Starting systems have been changed, boats under 6m don't
need protest flags and the "slam dunk" tack have changed. Don't be
caught out get the book now. - 09/04/2001
Managing Risk-Upwind if you are sure that one side is biased, but
everyone goes the opposite way,rather than commit fully to a side just
stay on the favoured side of the fleet.You still gain if your
predictions are correct but don't lose as much if wrong! - 19/03/2001
Mental Skills-If you have a bad race, in a multiple race day, do not
dwell on it. Try to make a quick analysis of the race, learn from your
mistakes and then put it out of your head until the end of the day. Go
into the next race with a positive attitude. - 12/03/2001
Travelling- If you are sailing on the European circuit,a credit card
with a pin number is probably the safest and most economical way to
access money in each country.If you have internet banking you can keep
your credit topped up while on the road. - 26/02/2001
Now is the time for those Northern Hemisphere sailors to set those
goals for the year, remember they should be specific, realistic and
measurable. Remember fitness aswell as sailing goals. Most important
keep working at them! - 25/01/2001
Preparation- As soon as you know where your next big event is being
held, start gathering data. If possible get charts showing depth and
tidal flows. When you arrive at the venue ask locals about wind
patterns. This will help you develop the big picture. - 11/12/2000
Pushing the Limits- Training is the time to try new things. Experiment
with how far you can push the boat and yourself. Learn from your
mistakes and apply what you learn to your skills repertoire.
Personal Hygiene! Thoroughly rinse your sailing gear
after each session and ocassionally use an anti-bacterial agent.
Neglecting to do this could result in some irritating skin infections.
Wet suits provide a great substitute for petri dishes!
Preserving Perfection- If you have a special piece of
video, showing a technique or manouvre executed to perfection, be sure
to adjust the tape so it can't be recorded over with something much
less important.. like the Eurovision song contest!
Tactics-On a one long leg beat always sail the longer
tack first. Odds favour this. You have options if you get headed and,if
lifted you are brought closer to the layline. Tack only if there is
more breeze otherwise follow boats on the longer leg!
Avoiding injury- Many sailors in hiking boats suffer
from ankle strains.It is important to build the muscles around your
ankles so that extended periods hiking do not tear the muscle tissue.
Strengthen pre season and be ready for the first day of racing!
Damaged Boats: Don't wait too long to repair chips or
cracks. If you leave it the damage will get worse through the osmosis
caused by dampness. Even a bit of tape is better than doing nothing but
it should be a short term solution! - 01/11/00
Dehydration- In the winter it is as important to rehydrate your body.
Even if it is cold you still loose body fluids, this leads to muscle
fatigue and poor concentration. Thermos bottles can be useful to keep
warm drinks. - 25/10/00
Leeward Gate- In really tight races with large fleets it can pay to go
around the leeward mark less favoured to avoid the dirty air created by
the majority of boats going around the favoured mark.
Play Percentages!If the wind is forecast to shift,
rather than fully committing yourself play the percentages.If the wind
is forecast to go right upwind sail to the right of the group upwind
this will help capitalise on other influences ie tide - 02/10/00
Death Roll! When sailing downwind and you find the boat in a death roll
your first instinct may be to point up, never point up (you will end up
swimming). To get out of a death roll bear away i.e. steer into the
roll, pointing up exaggerates the rolling. - 18/09/00
Rule of Twelfths! Incoming and outgoing tides follow the rule of
twelfths. In the first hour of a tide 1/12 goes out, 2nd hour 2/12, 3rd
hour 3/12, 4th hour 3/12, 5th hour 2/12 and in the last hour 1/12. The
same applies for an incoming tide. - 11/09/00
ClamCleats! If you find that your rope slips through the cleat you may
need to replace it if it is plastic as the teeth may be blunt. However
if it is metal try using a pliers to squeeze the teeth closer together.
This should save you a few pence. - 04/09/00
Sun Protection! When protecting your lips from the Sun make sure that
there is an SPF number on the label. Any product without will enhance
your risk of blistering. - 28/08/00
Smelly wetsuit boots! To get rid of any bad smell in your booties put
them in the freezer and the smell will disappear. The cold kills the
bacteria that cause the smell. - 21/08/00
Checking tides! Use an apple core to check flow of the tide. Go to a
buoy drop the apple core in and see how far it goes in twenty seconds.
A ten meter drift will correspond to approx 1.8km/h. - 14/08/00
Hydration & Carboloading! A cheap alternative to buying
carbohydrate drinks is to make your own. 250g of glucose one teaspoon
of salt diluted with one litre of water and then add a flavour.The salt
enables you to quickly absorb the glucose water mix. - 07/08/00
Redress- It is imperative that you are able to prove your result has
been materially prejudiced before opening a redress case.Generally this
is hard to prove. So unless you have clear cut evidence you are
probably better getting a good nights' sleep! - 31/07/00
Natural Yoghurt! When fitness training natural yoghurt has the effect
of increasing your anaerobic threshold by reducing production of lactic
acid. It also strengthens your immune system which can weaken when
training hard! - 26/07/00
Sun Cream!Wear sun screen but be careful about putting it on your
forehead. As you begin to perspire the sweat beads will drip towards
your eyes containing elements of the cream. This stings like crazy.
Solution:Peaked hat or don't sweat! - 17/07/00
Clear Vision- Before buying polarised glasses for sailing make sure
none of your on-board equipment is polarised. Viewing polarised
displays on equipment through polarised shades will leave you in the
dark! - 10/07/00
Save Even More Money! Try to dry out your sailing gear before flying
back from an event. It is amazing how heavy wet sailing gear is! Some
of the sailors enjoying our tours got a nasty excess baggage bill on
their return home. - 05/07/00
Save Money!- If you are taking a long haul flight to a sailing event,
tell your travel agent you need to bring specialist equipment. The
airline will normally give a dispensation,so you don't get stung for
hefty excess baggage charges! - 26/06/00
Gear Failure - If you have been sailing your dinghy a lot and your
spars are over two years old, check for stress marks and signs of
corrosion, to ensure they don't break just when you do not want them
to! Early replacement rules out disappointment. - 19/06/00
Rules- Now well into the season you should have already revised the
rules...but it still amazes us that some top guys are getting thrown
out of protests,they thought 100%winnable,because of poor rules
knoweledge.Read the book and use to your advantage. - 13/06/00
Variable Conditions:- It is critical that your rig is adjusted for the
conditions. You must be at full speed all the time but not necessarily
at full power. As the breeze changes your rig and style must adapt as
quickly and smoothly as possible. - 15/05/00
Performance Profiling:- It is important to know, how you are sailing
now and also what your goals and achievement's will be for this year.
You need to have this planned so as your development is maximised for
the main event's. - 08/05/00
Light Wind Event's:- At least once during the year you will experience
a really light wind event. For the Lighter sailors it is the chance to
shine, but no matter what happens you must control you frustration and
focus on your strength's. - 03/05/00
Protests: Nobody likes protests and if they can be avoided great! But
make sure that if some body does infringe you you can do something
about it. It's a good idea to get two Code B flags, as they always get
lost. - 24/04/00
Visualisation:A technique used by most top athletes. A situation/skill
is rehearsed by creating visual images in the brain.Then execution is
easier as the body's motor neurons have already been stimulated.
Prof.Mahoney explains on CD LaserCoach 2000. - 17/04/00
Security- Be careful of your gear at regattas. The European season has
only just kicked off and already we have heard stories of gear going
astray. Don't leave things lying around and label everything
distinctively to deter criminals. - 10/04/00
Time Management:- It is extremely important at this time of year to
have the season planned. You must have time to Train, Rest and to
prepare for the regattas. You need to plan your rest time carefully, so
as you stay in peak condition. - 03/04/00
Mental Preparation:- Before a big championship you need to be in both
peak Mental and Physical condition. This will require a lot of
relaxation, to prepare body and mind before the regatta. Being
organised helps reduce stress in life! - 20/03/00
Race Strategy:- This is a very important weapon in dinghy racing. Your
plan should incorporate the weather forecast and any wind bend
information that may occur. You should have a new plan for every race.
- 06/03/00
CONCENTRATION:- Make sure that when you are training, you work for
longer than you would in a real race. This will help build your stamina
and allow you to perform faster and for longer, so that when you race,
you are alway's focused! - 21/02/00
Hand-Eye Coordination:- Awareness of peripheral influences and
situations, plays a huge part in sailing success. Many of our sailors
have improved dramatically simply by using contact lenses while
sailing. Seeing what's happening has its advantages! - 14/02/00
IN BREEZE:- On the really windy days it is often better to get out
sailing for a short session. This will often provide a lot of
confidence and can often give a massive adrenalin rush! Just be sure
you and your gear are up to the challenge!! - 07/02/00
Reaching in Waves:- Always try to concentrate on keeping your momentum
up on a reach. You should be moving faster than the waves so you need
the momentum to break through each crest to be able to surf off the
front of the next wave! - 04/02/00
Strong Wind Tacking:- In Big Breeze do not be tempted to turn the boat
too quickly through the tack. This will cause a huge decrease in speed
and will cause the sail to stall. So leaving you in 'IRON'S' with no
momentum to sail onwards! - 31/01/00
Training:- It is important that you put the work in at this time of the
year. You need to be in Peak condition for the main event's of the
season, Both Physically and Mentally. So Practice while you still have
time on your side. - 25/01/00
Windward Tactics:- On approaching the layline to the weather mark you
should position yourself to blanket cover the person directly behind
you. This will give you time and space to get away cleanly after the
mark. - 18/01/00
Big Fleets:- If you have a bad start, tack out straight away. Then you
should get clear air and will not have lost a lot of distance on the
leaders. The sooner you tack out, the less you will lose! - 10/01/00
Cold Weather: Northern Hemisphere sailors should remember that it is
important that your boat either has a cover or is turned upside down so
as water does not freeze in it and cause structural damage. - 13/12/99
It’s rarely beneficial to sail dead downwind, with the possible
exception of light air, flat water. The increase in boat speed easily
justifies the extra distance sailed. - 29/11/99
Laser Tacking:- During tacks above 12 knots of breeze you should be in
the boat as little as possible. This requires tacks from a good hiking
position straight into the same position on the opposite tack as
quickly as possible. - 23/11/99
Light Breeze:- In light airs you should set your boat up for the lulls
as it is harder to keep speed when the wind dies. When the breeze
builds you will be completely powered up to get as much momentum as
possible. - 15/11/99
Weather Mark Roundings:- In heavy breeze it can often be hard to bear
away at the windward mark. One technique is "Dump and Pump", this
requires the main to be let out as quickly as possible while turning
and then pumped to induce planing. - 08/11/99
Proper preparation for exercise helps reduce the chance of injury. Make
sure your warm up routine is consistent with the level and type of
activity you are undertaking. Stretching before and after sailing races
is highly reccommended. - 01/11/99
Fluid Replacement:- You must replace fluid whilst out racing. If you
don't your blood increases in viscosity, this makes your heart work
harder. This can be dangerous in extreme physical conditions. So
remember drink consistently throughout the day! - 18/10/99
Downwind Sailing:- Try to use 'gybing angles' to your advantage. By
sailing slightly closer to the wind,the boat will move faster. They can
be manipulated coming into marks where you want the best position to
gain places. - 11/10/99
Optimist Sailors:- Upwind when the boat is not flat you should project
you weight forward to reduce the effect of weather helm. When the boat
is flat you should move your weight back slightly to induce some
weather helm to give some feeling in the rudder. - 04/10/99
Stiff Masts:- With an Aluminium mast you should, if you can let it rest
for a season. Over time the mast will become stiffer. Therefor it will
not bend as much as a new mast and give you more power in the sail. -
27/09/99
Tacking:- In big seas it is important to tack when you have the most
speed. Look to tack at the top of the wave when the sail will have the
most power and you can accelerate away quickly down the back of the
wave. - 20/09/99
In Building Breeze keep your sail powered up as much as you can. If you
can handle it longer you will be faster than the others and you will
point higher.- No Pain No Gain - 14/09/99
Upwind; Top sailors have good reasons for changing their race plan.A
top priority is to keep your air clear.Finding a clear lane is
important and in some situations it may even be worth taking a couple
of short term losses for gains further up the leg. - 06/09/99
Pre-Start:Create a gap to leeward useing your luffing rights to force
the windward boat up. Coming in from astern you are still entitled to
luff to head to wind, as there is no proper course before the start.
The windward boat needs room to keep clear. - 30/08/99
Upwind in light airs in an Laser: These are the only conditions where
it is good to ease the traveller rope. This helps the blocks to cross
over the tiller, and will help to keep the boom outboard. - 23/08/99
Thinking of choosing a new class to race in?Consider your physical size
then ask around for the optimum weight of the class you are
considering. First buy a proven second-hand boat and learn about that
class before worrying about buying go-fast-gear. - 16/08/99
A compass is a great aid, particularly when sailing on the open sea,
but don’t rely only on it! Use your eyes to look at the water for
darker wind shadows or for boats to windward being lifted or headed.
When possible sail with your head out of the boat. - 09/08/99
Choose a cap with a green colour under the peak as this colour reflects least sunlight back into your precious eyes - 03/08/99
If you have to approach the windward mark on port tack, try to do so at
least two boat lengths below the layline. This may give you a chance to
tack on the lee bow of starboard tack boats and then claim water at the
mark. - 26/07/99
Hi folks. The big count down to the launch of LaserCoach 2000 has
begun. Watch this space for a 'tip from the top' taken from this ground
breaking product weekly. - 01/07/99
A common mistake on the reach is to take the first gust of wind low
when there is a larger gust coming. Keep your eye on the BIG picture -
if in doubt err on the high side - 24/06/99
Wear Sun Screen. If I could offer you one piece of advice it would be
... wear Sun Screen. - Bazzz. No, but seriously - WEAR SUN SCREEN! -
09/06/99
Cut a small hole in the back of your dinghy boots to let the water
drain out. It makes your feet much more comfortable. Think twice about
doing this if you sail in a sandy/gravely area as the stones are a
pain! - 03/06/99
A common mistake on the reach is to take the first gust of wind low
when there is a larger gust coming. Keep your eye on the BIG picture -
if in doubt err on the high side. - 01/06/99
Guys and girls with partners or spouses: If you are going to do the
sailing thing full-time, build a proper amount of time into your
program for your partner otherwise icy water may come your way! -
24/05/99
If you plan on competing in Europe book accommodation and boat charter
3 months in advance to save high amounts of stress! - 10/05/99
49er sailors use a snap-shackle to attach the jib sheet to the clew
board. Tie the sheet to the middle eye in the clew board then attach
the shackle to the top eye. As it becomes too windy for the top eye
release the shackle and you're on the middle eye. - 04/05/99
Do not aim to get Personal Best (PB) results at every regatta you sail.
Identify some regattas to work on key areas of you game, set training
goals that you can only do in a competitive situation. - 28/04/99
Decide where you start on the line based on what you want to do in the
first three minutes in the race, as opposed to a plan based just on the
start line bias. - 20/04/99
When you buy a Michael Blackburn Sail Fit book from SailCoach, read it
and implement his many good ideas for fitness training.Putting the book
under your pillow for osmotic learning doesn't work!! - 22/03/99
Light Airs: Move gently in the boat so, the flow of air over the sail
and the water flow over the hull and foils, is not disturbed. -
14/03/99
Keep your tell tales working in the rain; simply rub the tell tale and
the surface of the sail within its reach with ordinary candle wax. This
will even keep regular wool ticklers flying in the heaviest downpour.
Alternatively boycott rainy venues! - 08/03/99
Sail blind folded for a while to increase your awareness of how body
movements in the boat affect the dinghy’s speed and trim . This can
also be achieved by sailing at night. Only do this in a controlled safe
environment! - 02/03/99
Make-up a sailing/regatta check-list, so parts of your sailing gear do
not get left behind at home. Having spare trolley pins is always useful
and can save some embarrassing moments going down the slip way. -
20/02/99
In the break between races sailor will need to take food and drinks to
help replenish energy. Solid foods like bananas, fruits, and low-fat
bars, such as Power Bars. It is necessary to wash solid foods down with
Sports Drinks to help with re-hydration. - 13/02/99
720 Degree Turn: The turns must be taken as soon as possible after the
incident, you must do two full turns (two gybes and two tacks), in the
same direction and the second turn must follow on after the first. -
06/02/99
Sea breeze is the result of air being warmed over the land and rising.
The colder air out at sea moves ashore to take the place of the warmed
air over the land increasing in strength. By sunset the wind could be
20 to 25 knots. - 29/01/99
A New Year's resolution: A key skill for those who wish to improve
their racing performance is Goal Setting. The skill of good goal
setting is to have both long and short term goals, breaking them down
into manageamble periods of time. - 21/01/99
In areas where strong currents run close to a shore or through a
channel with shallower water on the side it isn't uncommon for there to
be eddies moving in the opposite direction to the main current in this
shallower water. - 11/12/98
Northern Hemisphere compass users travelling Down Under- For the most
accurate readings it is best to get a Southern Hemisphere compass. -
08/12/98
To avoid damage from corrosion, during periods of winter inactivity, be
sure to wash boat and fittings with fresh water before storing. -
02/12/98
The History Zone: Where allot of sailors tend to get lost. Something
has happened in the race, a protest situation and their lost in the
HISTORY of the race. They cannot focus on the present, their boat speed
drops and they are HISTORY. - 25/10/98
This one sounds basic. But with one top laser sailor(who shall remain
nameless) missing a flight recently, hopefully will save somone a big
shock. For long distance flights confirm your seat 72hr prior to
departure,airlines may sell your seat if you don't - 15/10/98
Current Sticks. Use a plastic drinking straw with a 25mm screw glued
into one end, seal the other end. Measure strength and direction of
current by throwing it into the water next to a stationary object,
5metres =1/2knt. - 06/10/98
Upwind A good tactic if you are unsure of which side to play is to keep
yourself between the main group and the windward mark and play the wind
shifts accordingly. - 27/09/98
Flexibility is a fundamental aspect of any sailors performance, yet it
is considerably under rated in terms of time given to its pursuit. So
build into your fitness training programme continued safe and effective
flexibility exercises. - 19/09/98
Downwind: Be decisive on the run. A lot of sailors lost valuable places
because they take too long in deciding which side of the run is best.
Don’t get stuck in the middle where your wind may get stolen from boats
rounding behind. - 12/09/98
In singlehanders when sailing by the lee it is important not to let the
sail out beyond a 90o angle with the mast. On a run sailing with your
sail too far out is as bad as sailing with it too far in. - 07/09/98
Starting: It is really important to get a good start. However, most
sailors seemed possessed in their attempts to start in pole position.
Just look at the leaders, they tend to start a couple of boat lengths
away from the high risk areas. - 22/08/98
The Crew: No piece of sailing equipment is more important than the
person/people you sail with. So, once you have a top-notch crew you
need to work to keep them. There is no money better spent. We'll,
probably only on a coach…..! - 15/08/98
Pre-start: Try to go afloat 1 to 1&1/2 hours before start time,
with a tuning partner. This will help you get a handle on the sailing
conditions (wind, current, wave pattern etc) and allow you time to set
the boat up for these conditions. - 10/08/98
Success in sport is about knowing your own strengths and weaknesses. By
understanding the factors over which you have a) complete control b)
ability to influence and c) have no control over. By focusing on a and
b, you will make a major step forward. - 01/08/98
Downwind Tactics: First have a plan for the leg, look for the next mark
as soon as possible. Be aware of sailing on the correct gybe, all the
time looking for more pressure on one side or the other. In a
singlehander it’s faster to sail by the lee. - 26/07/98
Upwind Tactics: Most sailors don’t play the wind shifts enough,
particularly ‘‘Mid-fleeters’’ . You don’t need to tack on every shift,
just keep your eyes open and look how the other boats are pointing.
Also try and sail your own race as much as you can. - 19/07/98
As with any dinghy, the key to performance is keeping the boat upright
with the rig and crew balanced. Similarly fore and aft trim also has
significance to good boat speed. - 11/07/98
Always rinse out your water bottle with an antibacterial mix if you
have not been using it frequently. If left for too long the bottom of
your water bottle can be an ideal place for bacteria to breed. -
06/07/98
In sport '' Attitude is Everything'' you must be confident in your own
ability to be successful, the more training that you put in, the more
confident you will be racing. - 15/06/98
To increase your focus or divert your mind from negative thoughts, take
a couple of deep breaths, then watch your bow as it passes through the
waves. If you say "PEAK" as your bow hits the peak and "THOUGH" in the
trough, it will help you to focus - 04/06/98
Do your ticklers stick to your sail in the rain? Change your sailing
venue or rub candle wax onto the sail around the tell tale and a bit on
the tell tale for good measure. This works well and is less expensive
than silicone spray or an audio cassette. - 28/05/98
Protesting: ''displaying a protest flag'' means showing a RED FLAG
immediately and it must be displayed conspicuously, this applies for
singlehanders too. You must also have it acknowledge by the Race
Committee. - 09/05/98
When training on your own, some sailors have an problem motivating
themselves. One way to stop this happening is to set training GOALS and
by the end for the day you should be satisfied with the amount of work
you've done on the water. - 01/05/98
Laser sailors, to stop your feet getting tied together with the
mainsheet, try keeping about 1m of sheet laid out on the deck just in
front of where you sit. This will help you to let the sheet out in a
gust easily and allow you to play the sheet easily. - 20/04/98
Starting Tip : Wear your watch on your right wrist so when starting on
starboard tack, so that you are facing forward when checking the start
time. - 26/03/98
Tip of the week For all those sailors going to Dubai and having to cope
with jet lag, a good rule of thumb is to allow roughly one day per hour
of time difference for recovery. - 03/03/98