Cramp whilst racing/sailing

Yes, I get cramp in my legs. Mostly the thighs, not the calves. During racing it tends to happen in the 3rd race - so after I've been stewing in a wet suit for a while, and more on the Contender than the Laser, so probably connected with trapezing. Water and foul "sports" drinks at lunch might help a bit, but also I think keeping my legs warm. So when beach launching - and getting my legs wet at the start of the day I tend to wear polypro leggings pretty much regardless of the weather - that seems to help.

If you do find a cure for cramp, keep quiet about eating/drinking it!

You need an excuse for the next time you get overtaken....

Ive been lucky to only have a few cramps in my whole life. They were limited only to my calfs and I felt it building and found that getting up and moving cured it within seconds. My main drink of choice (when not consuming alcohol) is orange squash and as Nessa said its a much better choice than tea or coffee or even water. Amazingly you can dehydrate by drinking too much water.
Chest pains are often the result of snagging a nerve with your ribs. Normally a few deep breathes clears the problems, again I've suffered from it but usually not on the water.
When on the water the adrenaline kicks in and I feel no pain :)

Cramp is very often caused by lack of electrolytes.  If I dont keep up my fluid levels in warm weather I get awful muscle cramps because some medication I have to take saps my electrolyte level.  So the recovery fluid joke is pretty close to home.  Less coffee and tea during the day, more squash or water or expensive sugary crap.  How can a finely tuned afflete such as yourself not know this Greeme?

I am neglecting to ask Jim if he ever gets cramp in his front legs because that joke has been done before.

Originally posted by gordon1277 maybe I should change to gin and tonic hasnt that got something good in it for cramp?

I thought it was good for malaria?