[Sailingclub] The Final Windward Leg sec: unclassified

[Warner, Grant MR]

>Part 6 The Final Windward Leg and This weeks Hot Products.
>
>As you get closer to the finish of the race, your tactics should vary
>depending on your position in the fleet If you are leading then you
need to 
>defend, by positioning yourself always between the competition and the 
>finish line.
>
>If you are positioned in a pack of boats then you have to identify the
>competitors around you that you could possibly overtake, and ones which

>threaten your position.
>
>As the last leg approaches you should have a good plan for your general
>direction to the finish, whether it is going to be out to the port or 
>starboard side of the course, or more defensively perhaps up the
middle. 
>You should also know who you want to attack and defend against and be
on 
>the look out for their maneuvers and directions.
>
>The last leg is where consistent winners usually pick the safest, 
>fastest
>route, and where competitors more desperate to win take "flyers",
sailing 
>out to the edges of the course in the hope of find some magical
windshift. 
>Watch out for wind changes, as you would expect to do on any leg of the

>course, as changes on this leg could affect your final position.
>
>It is important to know your competitors well, because if you are 
>trying to
>get past an opponent who is nearby, then he will probably be trying to 
>cover. You have all the advantages of tacking first and drawing him
into a 
>duel, which could gain you a place on the line, but this type of
two-boat 
>tactic can only take place if you have distance to give away on other 
>competitors.
>
>By the last leg you will have really settled into the race and should 
>be
>obtaining your best boat speed. Windshift and direction decisions
should be 
>a little easier because you will have gained a "feel" for which side of
the 
>course is more favourable, and the likely changes in wind direction. In

>stronger winds fatigue, however, could be a factor which takes away
your 
>concentration. If you ever get the opportunity to watch a race, then it
is 
>noticeable just how the leaders will show total concentration from
start to 
>finish, whilst sailors in the middle or latter part of the fleet tend
to 
>loose concentration during the last stages of the race - always keep 
>trying, because it will improve your next race!
>
>Approaching the finish line you need to continuously update your 
>relative
>position with your closest competition and begin to identify which end
of 
>the line is favoured. Look for clues - early finishers will be crossing
at 
>the nearest end! Watch also the committee boat, as the tide or current
may 
>have changed the boats' riding position at anchor. The finish flag will

>give a good indication of wind direction.
>
>A well trained crew should be able to give a regular commentary on the
>changing picture as the boats approach the mark, and he or she can
probably 
>more quickly assess the fastest, quickest course to the finish in clear

>air.
>
>It is not necessary to sail to the finish lay line, especially with 
>boats
>around you. Many places are lost by boats who over stand the finish
line 
>and eventually have to ease sheets and reach down to the line. They end
up 
>sailing further in the last critical moments of the race, whilst 
>competitors who sail well inside the lay lines can still take advantage
of 
>any last minutes windshifts, even though they may have to take a tack
at 
>the very end to cross the line. Remember that you only have to get your
bow 
>across first to confirm the position.
>
>If you find yourself out in front In any race, then always remember the
>most important tactic - keep between the finish line and your
competitors - 
>even if it costs you some distance. Dennis Conner didn't, and it cost
him 
>the America's Cup.
>
>Several things to think about after crossing the line - keep away from 
>the
>course, because other competitors are still racing and it is very
unfair to 
>get in their way. Take the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of
boat 
>speed and tactics with your crew. Discuss the most and sail settings so

>that you have a better picture of your boat speed and tuning. It is a
time 
>to relax, but keep good control of the boat as in stronger winds you
can 
>often end up with a capsize!
>