And they’re off! The start and the first windward leg are the most important stages of any race and will set the stage for things to come.

So, you got a good start, or perhaps your didn’t. Either way the first windward leg of any race is critically important and no matter where you find yourself in the fleet there are ways to be among the leaders by the windward mark. Let’s look at the start and the first 15 minutes of any race to develop an overall strategy of how to attack the windward leg.

You’ll want know which side of the course to favor and which competitors are the most important to watch. These should have been discussed between you and your crew long before the start gun fired so that once racing your game plan becomes your guiding plan. But first you need to concentrate on boat speed.   more...