Top Mark

Simple and safe should be your mindset getting around the top mark

Prioritize getting to the starboard lay line before the 3 boat length zone (*the more competitive the fleet, the earlier you need to get to the starboard lay line) and overshooting it by 1/2 a boat length is safest

In Depth Details

Current, wind strength, shifts and other boats all affect the lay line

Tacking under another boat is generally always a bad idea, you usually either foul or hit the mark, especially inside the zone

Starboard lay line can also be used as a tool, if you are the first to lay you can just barely short tack it to dissuade port tackers on the same ladder rung as you from leebowing you

This is a medium risk, medium reward method

Crew Communications

Let the driver know where all relevant boats are and if they are on port or starboard

Point and say where the windward mark is, it can help the driver maneuver around the top mark better

Important Skills to Practice

Calling lay line

Boat on boat tactics

Knowing when to prioritize getting to starboard lay line

Drills

Layline battle

Groups of 3, a windward leeward course will be set mimicking the last 10% of a windward beat. 1 boat will be the starboard rabbit, 1 boat will regularly duck the rabbit and the last boat will duck the rabbit clear astern of the port tack boat. As soon as the first boat ducks, all 3 boats are racing to the windward mark.

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Videos

Steph Roble and Maggie Shea talk through their approach to the windward mark

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Windward Mark Approach with Roble Shea Sailing⁠

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