WINNING TACTICS AROUND THE RACE COURSE
In this two-part online class series DAVE PERRY covers the boat-on-boat tactics that allow sailors to be successful in their racing, from the starting line, to the upwind and downwind legs, and around the marks.
The fun of racing is that there are usually lots of boats all around us. Knowing how to best position ourselves to be able to execute our race strategy is what we call our “tactics.” In this online class series, champion racer and coach Dave Perry explains how to make successful tactical decisions when near other boats, whether we are racing one-designs or under a handicap scoring system.
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WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?
This series is for anyone who races, or plans to race a sailboat and will include useful takeaways for both skippers and crews alike. Understanding the tactics of the game will ensure the ability to enjoy the sport that much more, contributing to more effective decision-making processes and procedures on the boat.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
In the series, sailors can expect to learn about the various tactical options available in the most common racing situations, which are port/starboard encounters upwind and windward/leeward interactions downwind. Sailors will also learn some race-winning tactics for getting a great start, and for passing boats at the marks.
TOPICS COVERED
- Building and defending your hole on the starting line
- How to avoid “barging”
- When to lee-bow and when to duck a starboard-tack boat
- How to defend from getting rolled on the reaches and runs
- How to get around the marks without fouling other boats
- How to use windshifts to pass boats upwind
- The special rules on the starting line
YOUR HOST
DAVE PERRY
North U Coach & 2024 US Olympic Sailing Team Rules Advisor
Dave Perry has been racing and coaching his whole life. He was a two-time collegiate All American and National Champion, and is a five-time US match racing national champion. He has coached Youth, Women and Open Adult sailors of all levels, including Youth World Champions, Women’s Olympians, and several America’s Cup teams. He is the chairman of the US Sailing Appeals Committee, and was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2020. He is the Rules Advisor to the 2024 US Olympic Sailing Team.
