Back to Basics

It's a new season, and Polly told me that I hadn't written in a while. That said, here goes: time to get back to basics. As a team, we need to focus on boat-handling and boat speed. Skippers need to be better about locking into the boat and using less rudders. Crews need to start taking initiative: jib trim, weight placement, remembering that they are crucial to boat speed.

We also need to talk about tacking. Here are a few videos that may help you out. First, Patrick Rynne has a good camera angle from inside the boat. Skippers, watch the main trim, how little rudder he uses, and the exchange. My only comment would be that he could use more of an ease.


Sailing Videos on Sailgroove


As a credit to Clare, here is a great Technique Tuesday, from Hotchkiss, showing the hand exchange.

Watch more video of Technique Tuesdays on sailgroove.org

Crews, for great footage of roll tacking, go to Roy's site on Dragon and watch the footage of Garth/Sharky and Annika/crew. I know that it's on there. Make sure you drop someone a line if you have questions, or pose them as comments to this post.