topper sailing

   I've recently started doing some open meetings in my topper and am finding that I seem to lose out alot up the first beat.

My starts are fairly good as is my tacking - any tips on how to hold position and get quickly to the first mark?

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topper 30536 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 May 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote topper 30536 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: topper sailing Posted: 30 May 06 at 10:25pm
	I've recently started doing some open meetings in my topper and am finding that I seem to lose out alot up the first beat. My starts are fairly good as is my tacking - any tips on how to hold position and get quickly to the first mark?

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 30 May 06 at 10:32pm
	Are you possibly tacking too much?? A lot of people tend to throw in a lot of tacks just after the start in a vain attempt to getting clearer air. It could also be that your using TOO much main tension (and too much kicker). Ive noticed a lot of people now with centre main toppers getting there main almost block to block at the back with a completely hooked leech. I found footing upwind in a topper to be really quick, so long as youve got the room to leeward (and leg muscles to hike harder) to do it. Doug Edited by Doug.H

Jon Emmett Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 988	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jon Emmett Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 06 at 8:10am
	For one things your mindset is wrong! The question should not be how to hold position,,, but rather how to win the first beat!!! However to be fair it is always nearly impossible to answer such open questions (nearly as bad as "how do I make the boat go fast!") What I would suggest is you do some Topper class training, most of the coaches involved in the programme are pretty good... They should be able to watch you and identify any major issues (tacking too much, boat to heeled, missing windshifts etc, etc.)
	Be Your Own Tactics Coach

Harry44981! Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 736	Post Options Post Reply Quote Harry44981! Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 06 at 9:39am
	If you notice certain people who are overtaking you every beat, then go up to them at the end of the race and ask them if they can see what you were doing wrong. It's kinda hard for us to say exacxtly what is hampering your speed, without being there. Are you being overtaken due to lack of boatspeed- do people sail staight past you, or are you're tactics a little off- someone who was level at the starts picks shifts better and beat you to mark?