Top 3 Mistakes at the Leeward Gate (and How to Fix Them)

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:

1. Late decisions – Choosing your gate mark 5 seconds before rounding guarantees chaos. Instead, plan well in advance, even halfway own the run. Ask yourself "Where’s the pressure? What’s the fleet doing?"

2. Wide-and-tight? Or tight-and-wide? – Sailors often enter wide and exit wide, losing a lot of height compared to the fleet. Nail the classic "wide in, tight out" on your final approach to set up the next beat. As you round, stare down the mark, make sure you clear it as your round.

3. Slow hoists or poor drop focus – A messy spinnaker drop can mean a half-leg recovery. Practice drop-to-tack drills: drop, round, and tack cleanly. Use a rhythm, not a rush. A useful tool o hav in your toolbox is the handy gybe drop, make sure you practice this to protect the inside of roundings.

Self-coach focus: Understand your body position through the entire rounding. Smooth, early prep beats last-minute panic every time to maintain good boat speed around, especially in the lighter airs.