The end of the season is a chance to look beyond results and work out what is actually holding your sailing back. The end of the summer racing season is a really useful time to think about what comes next. It is easy to finish one season and immediately start filling the calendar with winter training weekends. But before doing that, there is one important question to answer: What do you actually need to get better at? Rather than simply aiming to “get better at racing” or try

A great start rarely happens by accident. Most sailors know the importance of line bias, time-on-distance and positioning, but many still arrive in the final minute without a clear routine. Under pressure, decision-making becomes reactive rather than proactive. The best sailors simplify the chaos. The final 30 seconds As the countdown approaches zero, your focus should narrow onto three key questions: 1. Am I accelerating or stopping? One of the biggest mistakes sailors make

One of the most influential decisions in any race often happens at the bottom of the course. As sailors approach a leeward gate, many simply follow the boat in front or choose the mark that looks closest. The best sailors, however, use the gate as an opportunity to position themselves for the next beat. The key question isn't "Which mark is easier to round?" but rather "Which side of the next beat do I want to be on?" Start thinking early The decision should begin well before

Most sailors don’t struggle because they’re not trying hard enough. They struggle because they don’t have structure. They’re putting the work in. They train regularly. They race whenever they can. They watch others, trying to pick things up. On paper, it looks like progress should happen. But in reality… it often feels slow. Frustratingly slow. The real problem The issue isn’t effort — it’s what happens after the sailing. After an event, most sailors move on too quickly. Ther

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

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...