Downwind in Shifts?

Different types of wind produce different types of shift, I'm sure all your
tactical racing books have explained that to you.

Open Sea is more likely to produced shifts that can be 'timed' but they
never are/were that violent in the degree of the shift unless associated
with a Geographic or thermal anomaly.

Lake shifts don't even try and anyway you might be on a lift your side
but so's the other guy across the lake in the opposite direction.

That water that Moth Race was on is the Columbia River, the Gorge and it
does have a bit of a pattern to it. It is a place you go for the wind rather
than it's direction, but I have to say watching that clip and it is difficult
with the foreshortening effect of the telephoto, but there were moments
earlier on in the downwind leg (when he was getting passed, the AUS guy
which suggests a lift at that moment, no-one overtakes that quick on a
header) when I would have gybed off.
It's down at Stevenson and the river quite wide there so you also could
consider going right or left to avoid the upwind drift. I guess with the
speed they go it's not such a concern.
But no compasses then? That was all I really wanted to know, so it's back
to seat of the pants and the usual clues..

Edited by G.R.F.

Originally posted by slop_idol I always hear about people timing the shifts upwind, never held much in it myself, wind doesn't oscillate with precise regularity as far as I'm aware.  Anyway if you time the shifts upwind then they will be the same downwind, so just keep the timer going and go on the beep.  personally I'm looking for pressure which usually comes with a shift anyhow.

Er - they don't having the same timings going upwind and down.

You sail into shifts faster going upwind so they appear more frequent, and the reverse is true down wind.

I agree with your main point though - never timed shifts myself. Consider it to be the domain of big boats, where they have more than enough people to do such things, and where beats can last hours so might actually be useful...

GRF - look behind you....that's what DC and I do.

Can only speak from the 505 perspective - although the rule is the same whether you sail hot or deep.

If you have got the right gybe from the windward mark (as clearly you always will..!) then the next shift in an oscillating breeze will surely be the lovely moment when the boats behind you start heading up!

At that point, the boats behind appear to be sailing higher than your line from the windward mark (whether taking angles or sailing deep).  Of course you need to be sure that they are not all heading higher due to a drop in the wind strength, but you are normally then waiting for that change in your current wind.  Making a call at that point is normally relatively easy.

If you are behind, then a gybeset is often more advantageous (unless there is a large fleet still trekking up the beat - 505 worlds style) than the wind would suggest.  The boats in front often close down each others angles between gusts and lulls.  In short being in space allows you to respond to the wind - rather than simply being forced into action to maintain clear wind/manage traffic.

Final thought - downwind you must always "hunt" otherwise you rapidly become the hunted.  Happened to DC and I at Burton 2 weekends ago when Simon and Harry Briddon pulled a mega gybe-set at the final windward mark, and took about 200 yards out of us (and second place) on the final run!!

Happens to us all...! Cheers,

 

Chas

 

 

Thanks folks, it was more single handing that was problematic but I think
I've sorted it now had a bit of a eureka moment last night and sorted my
tacking problems.. (Went out for a bit of a tune up with my chum in his
phantom (damn things just got a very slight edge until the wind puffs).

Anyway it's another reason for that sailing by the lee, risky cos the header
could smack a nasty uninvited gybe but watching the twisted off slack bit
at the top of the sail gives lots of clues as to what's going on.

And yes I do watch behind, constantly, as upperbody twist going upwind
is exactly the same as windsurfing.

Everythings the same really it's just contorted with added rope plus butt
and knee ache..

And charisma reduction.

my wife thinks that my hiking shorts have already raised the levels of charisma reduction in our boat.!