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TACTICAL DECISION MAKING!
Last Wednesday evening I gave myself a pretty strong reminder of how not to complete a sailing race. It seems a strange thing to say but in hindsight I had managed to make just about every tactical mistake possible!
This was racing in the XOD at Hamble, the conditions were pretty straight forward but probably our greatest failure was a lack of planning before the start of the race. It was never going to be easy, a reaching start and an unfortunate course which as it worked out didn’t contain a true beat. We had worked this much out before the start but never really worked out what it meant. We all like to believe that these races don’t happen but they do. Race officers do what they can but course can often become one-sided due to changes in conditions in the lead up to or after the start. It can’t be controlled and especially in pressured situations where only limited races have been completed there isn’t much choice but to eventually set a course on the mean wind reading and then just get on with it.
Thinking back to the Merlin Nationals in 2013 there is one race that sticks with me. The wind before the start had been oscillating but was stable enough to set a course, within the start sequence the wind went hard left allowing the pin end boats to lay the windward mark in one long Port tack. I remember a lot of people being unhappy in the bar that night feeling their race had been compromised but actually by the top of the beat the wind was swinging back into the already established standard numbers for the day and the rest of the race was completed on a course square to the wind. However you look at it, every once in a while whacky wind or a bias course is just part of our sport.
So, back to my Wednesday disaster! The course consisted of a beam reach start, bear away onto the run, back up onto a close hauled long starboard, bear away onto another run before gybing at the bottom to then do a long reach back to the starting area. I hated everything about this course but actually it’s quite a challenge to win a race like this with limited passing. The start would be key, the boat who won the committee boat end without being pushed above it would more likely than not control the race and lead at the first mark. This was indeed the case, we were 2nd to the first mark having started one boat down on the front row. After the first mark is where the mistakes began. With the next mark being a round and up onto a close hauled fetch the most important thing was to defend the inside, after the mark the close hauled tack with tide pushing us down meant this rounding was key to then staying high on the next leg which was massively important.
It was a race for strong defence and I sailed the whole race looking for passing lanes and trying to attack. By not defending the leeward mark we were outside as we became shadowed by boats behind and this forced us into a low lane on the next leg, this eventually meant 2 tacks in a lot of tide to clear our wind and dropping back to 4th. Mistakes for the race were not thinking ahead enough and positioning ourselves badly so we were open to attack from boats behind. In hindsight if we had thought ahead we would have realised that after reaching the 1st mark the pecking order was going to be established and the only real opportunity to pass would be the final long run and even then it would be about managing risk against making a pass.
This was a stark reminder of the key factor in how I approach sailing these days, managing risk. In order to build a series whether it be club racing or a championship it’s about consistency.
SO WHAT ARE THE LESSONS?!
- Generally I try to go through the same pre-start process whether it is a club race or championship race, the only real difference being the time available to gather information. Tactics should be based on what you know!
- Working through the expected legs of the course and the key factors is a massive advantage in terms of what you will need to think about. (At this leeward mark we are going onto a long starboard tack beat with the tide pushing us down so we need to defend our inside position at the mark to guarantee a lane on the long tack, which bag does the kite want to be in for the next time we hoist?). This allows you and your crew an overview of what you are aiming to achieve.
- Discuss ahead of time. As you approach each turning mark what situation has been established, so what is the plan and what are the factors? Remind yourself of the next leg and what you need to focus on, what will you do at the mark to achieve this, what boats are around you and what do you need to do to position yourself in relation to them to execute your plan?
- Have a plan and stick to it. This is the key rule, no matter how bad your start or first leg, remember the important factors and remember what you wanted to do. Aim for small gains, being a hero and smashing corners might work but where there is reward there is also risk, you could equally turn an ok result into a disaster.
Tactics is a minefield if information but with a bit of thought and forward thinking it can be simplified. Perhaps most importantly everyone gets it wrong and it's working out where the mistakes happened that can be turned into hard learnt lessons for next time.
In Store offers!
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest in store offers on specific products, with up to 50% off on specific clothing, hardware and rope off cuts, this is a fantastic opportunity to grab an absolute bargain!
Below is a list of some of the items currently on sale in store.
Musto MPX Offshore Jacket - Red/Dark Grey S, M & XXL
was £450.00 Now £248.95
Gill I5 Crosswind Jacket Dark Grey S, M & XL
was £135.00 Now £99.95
Gill I5 Crosswind Sallopette Dark Grey L & XL
was £135.00 Now £99.95
Gill Mens Coastal Racer Jacket - Blue -S,M,L & XXL
was £175.00 Now £131.25
Gill Womens Coastal Racer Jacket - Blue -10, 14, 16
was £175.00 Now £131.25
Gill Mens Coastal Racer Jacket - Graphite -S,M,L,XL & XXL
was £175.00 Now £131.25
Musto BR2 Sallopettes Black - Small
was £210.00 Now £125.00
Musto BR2 Sallopettes Black - XXL
was £210.00 Now £125.00
Crewsaver Moko Ladies Neporene Microfleece Top - size 8
was £49.95 Now £35.00
Crewsaver Moko Mens Neporene Microfleece Top - size XXL
was £49.95 Now £35.00
Gill OS21 Sallopettes - Red - XXL
was £169.95 Now £119.95
Gill OS21 Sallopettes - Red - XXXL
was £169.95 Now £119.95
Gill Womens Spinnaker Jacket - Blue - 10, 12, 16
was £145.00 Now £108.75
Gill Mens Spinnaker Jacket - Graphite - M, L, XL
was £145.00 Now £108.75
Slam Winter Sailing Jacket - Navy - Small
was £120.00 Now £87.00
Slam Winter Sailing Jacket - Navy - Medium
was £120.00 Now £87.00
Zhik Aroshell Race Jacket Carbon Grey - Small & XL
was £279.00 Now £210.00
Zhik Aroshell Race Trousers Carbon Gey - Small
was £279.00 Now £210.00
Zhik Aroshell Race Jacket Ash Grey - Small, Medium & XL
was £279.00 Now £210.00
Zhik Aroshell Race Trousers Carbon Gey - Small, Medium & XL
was £279.00 Now £210.00
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK!
This week I’ve selected Liros Magic Sheet. Specifically designed as an anti-twist line it does a great job of preventing those annoying knots in the mainsheet as you bear away at the windward mark. I also think the cover on this rope is excellent, and easy to grip from new. Available in 7mm and 9mm diameter to suit dinghies and small keelboats.
In store offer – 10% off all ropes until the end of June 2015
Contact us via e-mail (email) or phone 01489 577748 to take advantage of these fantastic prices while stocks last!
10% off Baltic Buoyancy Aids – offer ends 31st June 2015.
Visit us in store in Fareham or check our website for more information.
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Only £14.99
Normal Price: £16.99
You Save: £2.00 (12%)
This smart MUSTO cap with a suede peak, leather adjustable strap and classic cotton top is ideal for days in the sun. With UV properties that protect you from the sun, metal eyelets for ventilation and a retainer clip to prevent losing it in gusts, this is your cap with sophisticated style.
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Only £149.95
hand made to made to measure Heavy duty design. |
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Only £1.99
Liros Magic Sheet 9mm
Polyester Grip Fibre and Polyester Spin Dyed 16 Plaited Cover
High Tenacity Polypropylene LIROS Magic Sheet has been specially developed for use as main and jib sheets on dinghies, sports boats and catamarans. Handling -the precise nonslip grip gives better control Compact Construction - With its round shape and compact braiding it asures excellent handling with good grip in cleats
Breaking Strength: 1500kg
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