What I generally do is position myself below a slower boat that I know will outpoint me on the first beat and try to avoid letting a boat that can outpoint me get in below me.

This is in Handicap races when i am sailing the 8.1 and about the only thing at Hunts that can outpace me upwind is a Phantom, I tend to avoid them like the plague!

In a fleet race it is all about creating yourself a space on the line and protecting it. The trick is to not be there too early or too late. Also remind any boat that come up from below you and luffs up that they have to give you time (and space) to respond. So if you are pretty much stationary on the line they cannot push you up they have to allow you room to get enough boat speed to the rudder works.

The other thing I tend to do in a fleet race is keep moving (unless it is a packed line) and dive in to gap with about 20 s to go and hit the line at full speed. This can punch you out the front and it to clear air really well.

I must point out that because I am at the heavier end of the spectrum for a Laser I do tend to not point quite so high as the flyweights unless it is blowing but go for boatspeed instead which (usually) more than makes up for the extra distance I have to sail.

If the line is short and the course relatively square sometimes you can start at the non favoured end (or away from the favoured end) and in clear air which makes a much bigger difference than winning the correct end. I do this a lot in club racing but not at an open as the standard is much higher.