This week J World Annapolis coach Buddy David shares his insights into finding the “favored side” of the race course.  Buddy and his team are leading all J World boats this series and determining where the strategic advantage lies on the race course is something all racers must identify.  So Buddy, tell us how you do it!

Favored Side of the Course

Picture this scene: You are standing around the docks post-race discussing the day’s triumphs and follies with other crews and someone states the profound wisdom “well you just had to be on the favored side for the first upwind”.  Now everyone else is nodding in agreement “yes the (right or left) was way favored”.  Even though this apparently universal truth remains a mystery to you, you find yourself nodding your head in agreement afraid to admit your ignorance.  I will let you in on a little secret that you are in good company.  One of the many challenges of sailboat racing is deciding where to go and when.  My first bit of advice is to never be afraid to ask others; most sailors love to share his or her knowledge because they are good natured or because your admiration strokes their ego.  Either way is a win-win. Read more

This morning we received our first update from Coach Tihansky as he embarks on his first transatlantic crossing.  With thousands of sea miles under his keel, Jahn’s no stranger to the open ocean but this is his first crossing.  Their route is a well traveled one that traces the same arc that Christopher Columbus sailed on his second voyage to the new world.  While the entire crossing will take about a month, the team is planning a short leg over to the Canary Islands before making the big (2500 nm) leap to the Caribbean.  Here is what Jahn posted this morning before slipping the dock lines and heading into the offing. Read more

Last Sunday, during the Annapolis Yacht Club Frostbite series, I watched nearly a dozen boats wipe out on the reach to the finish because they didn’t play the vang!   In a moment of hyperbole, I said to my team – “the vang is probably the most important sail control on the boat.”  OK OK OK – that might have been a bit aggressive, but I don’t think it would be too much of a stretch to say it is the most important sail control most racers rarely think about. Read more

Yesterday’s post about the 2013 Frostbite series and the rules that govern what boats can do at obstructions created quite a stir.  This morning we’ll look at two common rules scenarios that seem to take place every Sunday during frostbite racing.  There are dozens of conceivable situations where the rules that govern obstructions can come into play on the frostbite course – but we will only unpack two. Read more