Put these factors in order ....

OOOwww, you know how to ask a good question.

Id like to give a straight 1234 but some of them are too inter-related. For me weight (no7) is part of boat speed(5), just another factor. Starting (no3) is part of tactics (no2), but a very important part. Boat handling gives speed, and overall strategy dictate you tactics.

 

depends on the boat a bit, but I think putting boat handling below rules and boat speed (especially rules) is a bit suprising. Few people win Champs who fall over all the time!

1. Strategy (boat on fleet/weather patterns)
2. Boat Handling
3. Tactics (boat on boat/shifts)
4. Starting
5. Boat Speed (inc. weight of boat, tuning of rig)
6. Rules
7. Correct Weight (right crew weight for class)

For the sort of performance boat small fleet sailing I do I'd put it like this. Of course a lot depends how far away from the optimum you are. Cherubs are suprisingly tolerant of varied crew weights, but put two 20 stone Star Crews in one and I suspect it wouldn't much matter how much better their strategy and tactics were than the rest of the fleet.

Originally posted by turnturtle ps Rick I'm surprised they are towards the end of your list- the general consensus after the tide ride was that you guys kicked arse on the boat handling, hence why you did so well.

I don't think that was the consensus amongst the Musto sailors ... I think most felt that it was a boat speed advantage.

Originally posted by turnturtle That's why so much time on training courses is spent on tacking, gybing and close encounters (e.g. starting, mark roundings etc)  I think this is especially true of higher performance boats.

I think those elements of the sport are easier to practice on a training course ... how do you practice race strategy on a weekend course... those are the things you learn over time on the race course

Rick

Edited by Guest#260

Originally posted by JimC Few people win Champs who fall over all the time!

True, but in most classes, few win championships by falling over less than the other top 5 boats either. To me, good boat handling is just a qualification for it being worth turning up to a championship in the first place. I will admit to not generally having sailed classes where the boathandling is especially difficult, so I may be biased in that answer.   

In most of the classes I've sailed, starting is absolutely critical. You won't ever recover from a bad start. Nor will you come out of the critical first five minutes after the start in clear air without boatspeed at least as good as the boats around you. Thereafter, it's mostly tactics. "Heads out of the boat" as a frequent keelboat class champion always advises.

Generally there isn't much "strategy" on championship courses. If there is a clear and predictable advantage to one side of the course, the race officer isn't doing his job properly (or the venue is unsuitable). However for events like Cowes Week, strategy is critical.