Page 20 - Masthead - Salcombe Yacht Club 2019 Yearbook

18 Fleet Reports
Flags
Class Flag Toppers ......................................... R Individual Recall ................................................X Postponement...................................Code AP Lifejacket................................................................Y
Class Flag Juniors ..........................................U General Recall....................First Substitute Abandoned..........................................................N
WOODY’S (Y97) TOP TIPS FOR RACING CADETS
Start sequence
Class Flag 5 mins - Blue Peter 4 mins - Blue Peter down 1 min - Class Flag down 0
Racing Tips
• Look for the breeze on the course
• Try to get to the strongest breeze before your competitors
• Where is the strongest/weakest tide?
• Try to get an inside overlap at the leeward mark
• Mark Rounds approach wide so you can come tight to the mark
• If the lifted tack is starboard, then stay to the right (Salcombe side of the course) on the beat (tide willing)
• If the lifted tack is port, then work the left-hand side of the course
• Downwind bear away in the gusts and come up in the lulls
• Try to keep your wind clear upwind and down
• Keep looking around what’s happening with the wind on other fleets
• Stay out of window shadow of the land
• If you are on port tack with a starboard tack approaching it is better to duck rather than crash tack if you are on the favoured tack
• Start line try not to sail away from the line in the prestart phase. Try and work out which is the favoured end and make sure you approach the start generally
on starboard (not a good plan to port tack the fleet unless you get it absolutely right)!
• In the last minute, try and keep one boat length below the line ready to sheet in, in the last 10 seconds.
Racing Rules
• Port keeps clear of starboard tack boats
• Windward boat keeps clear on both tacks at all times
• You must give room to another competitor when they are obstructed by shallow water, a boat, the fairway or any other obstruction. They should hail “room” and you can respond “you tack” as soon as they tack you must
• You only have an overlap if it is established before you enter the two- boat lengths zone
• You must avoid collisions at all costs even if you are in the right!
• Try to avoid incidents it is faster to sail round the course without getting involved in rule problems
General
• Concentrate at all times
• Remember flat sails strong winds
• Slightly eased sails lighter winds
• Watch out for other craft, motor boats, moored yachts, paddleboarders, swimmers
• Look for the puffs of wind and try to get to them first
• Make sure you put your boat away at the end of racing and help each other
• Most Important
Have fun and it’s not all about winning!