The Racing Edge Lecture

By Gary Jobson  

I.       Crew Organization

          A. Introduction

          B. Recruiting

                    1. Who to get

                    2. How to get on a boat

                    3. Stimulating interest

          C. Setting up a schedule

                    1. Calendar

                    2. Newsletter

          D. Onboard

                   1. Specializing

                   2. Psyche up

                   3. Setting goals

                   4. Developing team spirit

          E. Crewing

                   1. Maneuvering

                   2. Partnerships

·        helmsman/tactician

·        trimmer/grinder

·        foredeck/mast

                   3. Go fast ideas

                   4. Keeping crew happy

II.      Reading the Wind

          A. How to read the wind - sources to use

          B. Improving your eyesight

          C. Which side of the course is favored

          D. Local prediction

          E. Windshifts - upwind

          F. Windshifts - downwind

          G. Sailing to airspeed

          H. Sailing in current

III.     Tactics - Around the Racecourse  

          A. Prestart tuning

          B. Starts

                   1. Recognizing patterns of competitors

                   2. Formations and options

                   3. Crowded lines

                   4. Rules

                   5. Recovering from a slow start

                   6. Downwind start

                   7. Take an early lead

                    8. Fast exists when starting

                   9. Light air starts

          C. Upwind tactics

                   1. Blocker techniques

                   2. Covering vs. windshift phasing

                   3. Escapes

                   4. Strategy and tactics

          D. Windward mark

                   1. Approach

                   2. Rounding

                   3. Getaway

          E. Reaching

          F. Jibing

                   1. Approach

                   2. Rounding

                   3. Getaway

          G. Running

          H. Leeward mark roundings

                   1. Approach

                   2. Rounding

                   3. Getaway

          I. Fast finishes

                   1. Which end of the line should you sail for?

                   2. Protecting your position

IV.     Boathandling

          A. Working in pairs

                    1. Mast/bow

                   2. Trimmer/grinder

                   3. Helmsman/tactician

                   4. Tailsman/trimmer

          B. Tacking

          C. Jibing

          D. Spinnaker sets

          E. Spinnaker takedowns

          F. Accelerating

          G. De-accelerating

          H. Control

                   1. Weight

                   2. Helm

                   3. Trim

          I. Storm sailing

          J. Steering

          K. Sailing by the lee

V.      Sail Trim

          A. How a sail works

                   1. Theory

                   2. Diagrams

          B. When to shape sails for different objectives

                   1. Go fast shapes

                   2. Point high shapes

                   3. Maneuvering shapes

          C. Sail chart

          D. Mainsails

          E. Headsails

          F. Spinnaker

          G. Special sails

          H. Tuning and balance

          I. What to do when you are slow

                   1. Maneuvering vs. not maneuvering

                   2. Setting up blockers

                   3. Catching a tow

                   4. Choosing the right side of the course

                   5. When your rating is less and you are slower, how to get clear early

                   6. Tactical considerations

VI.     Racing Rules

          A. Spirit of the rules

          B. Definitions

          C. Part IV and Part V

          D. Protests and appeals

          E. Further study

VII.   Setting and achieving goals

          A. What to look for to gain an edge