SAILING NEWS
News 5
JON EMMETT’S
Laser Surgery
A sneak preview of a new book from the UKLA training officer
SAILING News readers have enjoyed idea of the wind, waves and current to expect
top tips from leading Laser coach Jon at different areas of the course.
Emmett in past issues of the magazine. Find someone of similar speed to yourself
Now the UKLA training officer has and do split tacks. You both set off from the
published a new book entitled BE middle of the line on different tacks, and after
YOUR OWN SAILING COACH. an agreed time (say five minutes) you both
Here, Jon gives Sailing News an idea tack back. See who is in front when you
of what the book is all about with and meet, and most importantly, why!
exclusive extract from the section What Tide is often a huge factor in deciding race
is Strategy. strategy. Unlike the wind, current can be
accurately predicted! Race strategy often
TRATEGY is the way you would starts many hours, weeks, months or even
S
sail around a course as quickly as years before the first race! Do your home-
possible if there were no other work by looking at tidal and meteorological
boats present (always with a clear data beforehand.
wind, never having to keep clear The best way of approaching a race is to
of anyone, etc.). Good race strategy is the decide the main strategy, for there may be
way you would sail when leading a handicap several strategies in conflict. For example,
race where you were the fastest boat, as one side of the course may have more
opposed to sailing in a tight one-design class adverse tide but also more wind. Sailing is a
where you were just in the lead. very dynamic sport: there are often many
At some venues the strategy may be very variables.
obvious, as there will be clear patterns in the When you have all the available informa-
wind or the current, for example, but at tion, you can make an informed decision.
others it will not. It is often very hard to We will now consider several factors, one
coach yourself in strategy, as you will often at time (assuming that no other factors are
find yourself in unexpected scenarios (light applicable). You will notice there is often a
winds at a ‘strong wind venue’, for example). link between the upwind and downwind
If the wind really increases, the waves have strategy, so when thinking ahead always
more effect than the current. In a wind consider what is currently paying and more
against tide scenario upwind it may then pay importantly WHY.
to be in fl atter water rather than the more On any particular race day there will be
favourable current. It may also pay to be in factors that are the most important. For slow
the bigger waves downwind. boats, current may make the most difference.
In order to look at strategy it is good to
Strategy will vary a lot from class to class deciding factor if there is a difference in
For faster boats in light winds it may be find-
train on your own, or perhaps with a single
and depend upon the wind’s strength. For water flow across the race course (especially
ing the areas of the course with the most
training partner (of similar speed).
example, in marginal planing conditions (for for the slower boats or those which lose a lot
wind. For boats which tack and gybe easily
By practising at a venue well before an
a particular class) wind speed may be the of speed tacking).
and are at near maximum hull speed, it will
event, in the absence of other boats, you can
most important factor. On a shifty day, being Getting out on the race course early on race
be all about the shifts.
see how (in an ‘ideal’ world) you would sail
on the right tack may be the most important day, and training at the venue as much as
around a race course in different winds and
thing. However, if the wind speed and possible before an important event are highly
MUCH more great advice is on offer in
currents.
current speed are similar, current will be the recommended. This will give you a good
Be Your Own Sailing Coach, out now.
All you need to know
...and waterproof too
The Boating Handbook - The even sea shanties. The handbook Pitfalls and Problems and
Waterproof Guide to Life on also includes handy advice for look- References and Resources.
the Water by Rob Beattie ing after your vessel and equipping
£12.99 it as well as provisioning and cloth- ● SAILING News has five copies
Published by Wiley Nautical ing, as well as what to do in distress of The Boating Handbook - The
ISBN:9780470996119 situations. Waterproof Guide to Life on the
This is the book to keep on board Water to give away in an easy-to-
A BOOK this useful? You wouldn’t - however you get on the water - sail enter competition.
want it to get wet.... That's why this or power, dinghy or yacht. It covers Email the answer to the question
indispensible guide to boating is techniques and ideas common to below to publisher@sailing-
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wallet. Included are the following: correct entries out of the Sailing
Packed with illustrations, it cov- Introduction, The Basics, The Boat, News hat will get the prizes.
ers all the essentials – key Equipping your Boat, Basic What is an anchor bend?
manoevres, boating with children or Navigation, Cooking and A) an alcoholic cocktail
the inexperienced, navigation and Provisions, Activities and Skills, B) a knot
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