Championship-level crew training manual. Master race preparation, starting techniques, spinnaker handling, and advanced racing strategies.
Personal and boat preparation before racing
Inspect all shrouds, forestay, and halyard tension. Check for wear or damage.
Ensure all sheets, cunningham, outhaul, and kicker lines run freely through blocks.
Check pole attachment, guy and sheet leads, downhaul system is functioning.
Check for tears, batten security, and proper sail selection for conditions.
Rudder pintle secure, centreboard moves freely, buoyancy tanks sealed.
Paddle, bailer, anchor, tow line, and all required safety gear aboard.
Preparation in the minutes before the race begins
Class flag raised - 5 minutes to start
Blue Peter (P flag) - 4 minutes to start
Flags down with sound - GO!
Note the compass bearing of the start line and first windward mark. This helps identify wind shifts during the race.
Sail along the line to determine if there's a bias. Look for the favored end based on wind angle and current.
Check for current direction and strength. Look at moored boats and buoys to identify tidal flow.
Watch for wind shifts, gusts, and lulls. Identify any patterns in the pre-start period.
Practice your approach timing. Know exactly how long it takes to accelerate to full speed from a stopped position.
Master the countdown and perfect your start
Class flag raised. Begin final preparation and positioning.
Blue Peter flag raised. Start maneuvering for position on the line.
Final approach. Ensure clear air and good acceleration lane.
Flags down with sound signal. Cross the line at full speed with clear air.
Over early means returning and restarting - you'll lose significant distance. Be conservative near the line in the final 10 seconds.
Being slightly late but in clear air is better than being on time in dirty wind. Plan your approach to avoid being blanketed.
Upwind tactics, tacking, and wind shift management
Check for clear water. Build speed. Helm calls "Ready about".
Prepare to release jib sheet. Respond "Ready" when positioned.
Helm calls "Lee-oh" and begins turn smoothly.
Release old jib sheet as boat passes head-to-wind.
Move smoothly to new side. Stay low to avoid disrupting boat balance.
Sheet new jib quickly but smoothly. Resume hiking immediately.
When compass shows you're sailing a higher number than your baseline bearing, you're being lifted - the wind has shifted to allow you to point higher.
Strategy:
When compass shows you're sailing a lower number than your baseline bearing, you're being headed - the wind has shifted against you.
Strategy:
Example: If your baseline upwind bearing is 045°, and you're now sailing at 055°, you're lifted by 10° - keep going! If you drop to 035°, you're headed by 10° - consider tacking to the other side where you'll be lifted.
Windward and leeward mark rounding techniques
As you approach the mark, sight along the jib luff to determine if you can make the mark. Call "Layline!" when you can point at the mark without tacking.
Approach on starboard tack if possible (right of way). Give yourself room - better to be slightly wide than pinch and stall.
If rounding to a reach: prepare spinnaker, pole, and guy. If rounding to a run: prepare for deeper spinnaker set and broader sailing angle.
Helm bears away smoothly around the mark. Crew eases jib, prepares to hoist spinnaker immediately after mark clearance. Keep speed up - don't stall in the turn!
Plan your approach so you can drop the spinnaker just before or at the mark. Crew prepares to release halyard and guy, gather spinnaker into boat.
Approach the mark wide to allow room for rounding. Tighten the turn as you round to exit close to the mark. This gives you clear air and inside position for the beat.
Release halyard smoothly, ease guy, gather spinnaker quickly into boat or chute. Keep it under control - don't let it drag in the water!
Helm turns smoothly onto upwind course. Crew sheets in jib for close-hauled sailing. Resume hiking immediately. Trim for maximum VMG (velocity made good) upwind.
If you establish an inside overlap within 3 boat lengths of the mark, you have right to room. Call "Water!" clearly if needed.
The most common mistake is slowing down at marks. Keep boat speed up through the turn - smooth helm movements and proper weight distribution are key.
Hoisting, flying, and dropping the spinnaker
Attach spinnaker halyard, guy, and sheet. Check that spinnaker is not twisted. Ensure pole is ready to clip on guy.
After clearing the windward mark, helm bears away to reaching or running course. Wait for helm to stabilize on new course before hoisting.
Crew pulls halyard hand-over-hand rapidly. Keep tension on guy and sheet to prevent twist. Hoist all the way until head is tight at masthead.
Clip pole to guy (windward side). Adjust pole height - approximately perpendicular to mast. Trim sheet to fill spinnaker, ease until small curl appears at luff.
Allowed: ONE pump per wave or gust to initiate surfing/planing
Not allowed: Repeated pumping, rocking, or ooching to propel boat
Penalty: Disqualification if protested
Know where you'll drop - before leeward mark or during gybe. Crew should be ready with hands on guy and halyard.
Let go of guy (or unclip pole). Immediately ease halyard smoothly - not too fast! Keep sheet tension to bring sail down behind jib.
Pull spinnaker into boat quickly using sheet. Keep it out of the water! Stuff it into chute or bag neatly for next hoist.
Stow pole, secure all lines. Resume hiking position immediately. Don't lose boat speed while crew is sorting spinnaker!
Weight distribution for different conditions
Master gybing on reaches and runs
Look behind and to leeward for other boats. Helm calls "Ready to gybe?"
Ease jib sheet slightly. Prepare to duck under boom and move to new side. Respond "Ready!"
Helm calls "Gybe-oh!" and bears away. Mainsail crosses over. Control boom swing with mainsheet.
Duck under boom quickly. Move to new side smoothly. Sheet jib on new side. Trim for new course.
Helm calls "Ready to gybe?" Crew checks spinnaker is flying well. Ensure guy and sheet are ready to swap roles. Respond "Ready!"
Ease guy slightly. Take up slack on new guy (old sheet). Prepare to unclip and reattach pole to new side. Brace for boom swing.
Helm calls "Gybe-oh!" and bears away through dead downwind. Mainsail gybes. Helm continues smooth turn to new course.
Unclip pole from old guy. Attach pole to new guy (what was the sheet). New sheet (old guy) is now on opposite side. Trim spinnaker for new course.
Adjust pole height. Trim spinnaker sheet for optimal shape. Resume hiking/weight position. Check that all lines are clear.
Learn and improve from every race
Master these techniques through practice and experience. Great crewing makes the difference between winning and finishing mid-fleet!