Fleet Race Playbook

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Sections of the Course

Downwind

Keep it simple, there are two steps to a great downwind:

1) Get a clear lane

2) Point at the mark

In Depth Details

Be decisive about which side of the course you want to go to when rounding the top mark, any delay on gybing will make it more difficult to get course right if boats behind you gybe first

Must be careful about gybing around the top mark with boats behind you because when you gybe you will sail in the bad air of the boats behind you that are still on the offset

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If you are being covered, come up to a broad reach with a good pump, clear your lane and come right back down

The earlier you decide which gate you want to go to the better, things to think about:

Where are the best puffs going to be when I get down to the gates?

Where is most of the fleet going?

Is one side of the course extremely favored?

Are the gates skewed?

Second half of the downwind should be used to slowly position yourself to be on the inside of the gate you want to round

Try to stay away from other boats on the down winds

In general, wind lifts up over packs of boats- a boat about 2 boat lengths away from a pack will go faster than the pack in the same puff

In general, not much passing happens on the downwind if sailed correctly. However, if you do not set yourself up for the puffs or you do not sail towards the gates, it is easy to be passed

Being covered

Crew Communications

Constant updates on where the puffs are and how far away they are

be sure to point at them to give the drier a sense of direction to they do not have to turn

Are boats getting close to covering you

Begin the dialogue about gate rounding early, preferably before half way down the run

Head on a swivel, this is where it is most important to be constantly looking around

Important Skills to Practice

Transitions between the reach and wing on wing

Balancing the boat to windward while on the wing, making as little movement as possible

Recognizing which gybe is favored

Recognizing which gate is favored

Drills

Power Ball

Full length course, focusing on last half of first beat, downwind, and second beats

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To start, boats will circle the center mark (the power ball)

1 whistle

Immediately turn upwind, round the top mark and offset, sail entire downwind to the gates, finish by rounding the power ball

2 whistles

Immediately turn downwind, round the gates, sail entire second beat, round and finish by rounding the power ball

This drill works on sailing an actual course by being dropped into the middle in a random spot but still close to other boats

Rocket Dog

Drill starts with everyone circling the two windward marks counter-clockwise, on the whistle everyone turns down the race to the gates at the same time

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Ordered Rounding

Drill starts with everyone circling the windward mark counter-clockwise, on the whistle a specified boat will sail toward the offset with the other boats following in order

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Videos

Roble/Shea talk about downwind tactics: obviously high performance sailing is different than dinghy’s but the principles are the same

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Downwind Tactics with Roble / Shea Sailing⁠

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College Sailing Nationals 2023 Race 3B First Downwind

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