Highlander Class International Association


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Racing Tips

I. Staying out of Trouble at the Start and Rounding Marks

It is easy to stay out of trouble at the start and mark roundings. The approach too often adopted by new sailors - staying out of the way and giving up competetive positions - is not the answer. The knowledge of a few simple concepts can keep you out of trouble both at the start and during mark roundings without sacrificing your position.

How to avoid barging at the start. You barge when you sail down on a boat below you. If you find yourself just before the start with a boat below you sailing higher than you, the solution is simple. Head your boat up, even if this means being over early.

For a new sailor, the safest course is to approach the line on a close hauled course from two or three boat lengths away, timing your start so that you arrive at the gun. Be a little early; you can always slow down by luffing your jib and main if you are early. Even better, luff you boat into the wind. Changing your course into the wind has only one restriction. If there is a boat to windward of you, you must luff slowly, giving him room and opportunity to keep clear. Above all, don't be intimidated by the boats above you if they are sailing down on you. Hold your course and don't give up your position. They are the ones that are barging, and have to stay out of your way. Many new and old sailors have the habit of getting up to the line early and then sailing down the line waiting for the fun. This is asking for trouble.

These principles can be boiled down into two simple rules:

Keep an eye out for boats to leeward so you don't sail down on them.
If you luff up, luff slowly.

Aim for a safe place on the line where there are less boats. If the committee boat end is favored, plan to start one third down the line from the boat. If the pin end is favored, plan to start one third or farther up the line. Don't be late. Keep your boat moving so that you are at full speed when you hit the line.

Mark Roundings. The concepts applicable to rounding marks are also very simple. If there is a boat inside, i.e. between you and the mark, you must give him room to round, but only if he has obtained an overlap (his bow inside your transom) prior to the time your bow is two boat lengths from the mark. When you get to this two boat length position, if there is a boat inside of you with an overlap, advise him that you will give him room. If he has not yet obtained an overlap, advise him "NO ROOM." If you are the inside boat at this point, assert your rignt to room by the hail "ROOM PLEASE."

Avoid getting caught on the outside of a number of boats. If necessary, slow down to round behind this gaggle of boats, but stay close to the mark and inside. Stay loose if you get caught in a mob going around a mark with lots of hooting and hollering. Just stay clear of any boat on the inside of you, even if you have to nudge a boat outside you.

In Summary. At that start keep an eye out for boats below you. Don't sail down on them. Approach the line close hauled, but don't be late. It will take longer to get there than you think. If you are early, develop the habit of luffing up rather than bearing away.

At a mark give the inside boat room if he has established an overlap before the two boat length circle. Above all, don't for one minute think that because you are a new sailor you have to stay out of the way of experienced sailors. We have a nice class. I can't remember and instance of a hot shot trying to intimidate a new sailor to gain an unfair advantage. They will, however, yell at you if you are sailing down on them, so be ready to head up. If your fear is that you will ruin someone's start, fear no more. The only way this can be done is if you persist in sailing down on a boat below you.