Race tactics

After a long winter training block, it’s common for sailors to feel uncertain heading into their first regattas of the season. You’ve spent months working on boat speed, manoeuvres, starts and race strategy — but as the event approaches it’s easy to start overthinking things. This is exactly the moment when the best sailors do something simple: trust the work they’ve already done. Winter training is where the biggest improvements happen. Repetition builds consistency — hundre

Most races aren’t won by bold moves — they’re won by sailors who make high-percentage decisions consistently. That means: Starting in a strong, low-risk spot Sailing the lifted tack going to the next mark Staying between rivals and the mark Avoiding unnecessary corners Big risks have their place — usually when you’re behind and need to gain. But if you’re near the front, your job is simple: minimise losses and stay in phase. Over a series, the sailor who avoids poor results o

One of the biggest differences between developing sailors and consistently strong sailors isn’t fitness, kit, or experience. It’s how they think while racing. Strong sailors don’t try to fix everything at once. They focus on one or two important things, make a clear decision, and commit to it. Clarity beats complexity. Why doing less often makes you faster When it’s windy, shifty, or the fleet feels quick, it’s easy to think you need to do more  — more adjustments, more theor

Big events aren’t just won on the water, they are made through preparation. Whether it’s your first championship or the final regatta of the season, how you prepare in the weeks before racing can make all the difference. Plan backwards from Day 1 Start by working backwards from the event start date. What needs to be ready by then? Equipment  – Is your boat fully measured, foils smooth, ropes fresh, and spares packed? Make a checklist early on, not the night before travel. Log

As we enter winter, a lot of winter training begins and to make the most of it, try to think of your training like a pyramid: each level...

Knowing how to “read” the water is a skill that separates reactive sailors from proactive ones. While many sailors focus on wind shifts,...

It is surprisingly common to see boats lose precious ground on the reach—sometimes without even realising it. Yet for a leg that often...

Having a pre-race routine isn’t about superstition or going through the motions. It’s a system to help you: Make better decisions Spot patterns early Feel more confident on the start line What should be in your pre-race routine? Here’s a solid structure to build your own, and why each part matters: 60–90 mins before launch: Personal Prep Check gear: Rudder bolts, hiking straps, bung plugs—all sorted. Visualise: What do you want to focus on today? (E.g. “make good decisions on

The 5 minutes before the start —they feel like a blur of jostling boats and some shouting going on between boats. But for smart sailors,...

Want to supercharge your training? Pair up with a buddy boat! Two-boat testing is one of the fastest ways to find real gains—especially...

One of the biggest tactical gains in sailboat racing often happens before the start gun: figuring out what the wind is doing. Two common...

When it comes to improving your sailing, nothing beats time on the water—but how you train makes a big difference. One of the most...

The leeward gate is an area for massive gains, but can also lead to big mistakes! Here are three common errors and how to style them out:...

Sailing upwind efficiently is a crucial skill for any sailor! Sailing upwind efficiently is a crucial skill for any sailor! The Upwind...