That Extra 2-3%

Some great contributions here and on the alternative First 97-98% thread too. Some of the best contributions I've seen on this forum actually. Keep them coming!

It's tricky this without screwing my own head, which I try to keep full of self belief, which is what you actually need above all to achieve that extra 1-2% to keep your nose ahead of all the others that are experts already, I remember full well what else it takes and can honestly say I have neither the desire or probably the vitality left to endure. The hours in the gym, the miles pounding the pavements, not to mention the other hours sail training.

Then what do you have, say you get to be a full on championship winning helm, capable of Olympic performance, what does that mean? It means a totally different approach to something that was once fun it gets to a point that you almost fear taking part in case you lose, rather than the jolly expectation of the line up and the hope you get a bit of luck and are first out of the favoured end into a knock and manage to stay in synch with every shift the entire race.

So, no I'm happy to be a loser more often than I win, I actually enjoy the fact that I'm a hopeless boat handler and bumble about getting tangled up with the damn ropes and wiggle stick and let bloody jammy youf through at the last leg of a race I've lead almost to the last leg, I love to moan about the bandits beating me from a lap or two behind (whilst secretly knowing I'm not really sailing my own craft to its full potential) and there is one fact that is as true now as it was back in the day, you meet and get to know and be a far better person the nearer the back of any given fleet you dwell, and that is a fact.

Practising Mr B? Surely that's seen as a form of cheating in most eyes.

Steve 411 has it bang on.
Boatspeed is king really, tactics can be nuanced but most of it is in books and trying out different approaches to the same situation. Tactical acumen and nice tacks can keep you in the hunt on a little pond or river but useless anywhere else without pace.
On the sea you are pissing in the wind if you aren't fast.
Think the effect of setup and tuning and boat bits can be overstated.
Remember Giles Scott's gold winning coach saying that the biggest speed differences he had seen in any world class fleet was the laser, not the 49er Finn etc, i.e. The one with the identical kit and not much tuning scope.
All in the sheeting, steering and body positioning and movement. Loads of people can be fast for a minute or so but the really good guys can keep it on the boil for entire legs and races.
Rya 5 essentials and looking at tell tales gets you near the front of most club races mind.