NORTH SAILS IC37, Sailing Manual

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speed and time. Drills provide the focus to help you
understand not only the starting area but also the
course that lies ahead.
Starting is a huge priority for me. I break it down into a
bunch of parts:
• 3:00 - Position the boat in area you want to start
or being set up so you can reach your spot.
• 1:30 - Be ready for final approach with time to
adjust to fleet positioning.
• 0:30 (and in rapid sequence until 60 seconds
after the start) - As the time counts down from
30 seconds, you’re looking for your acceleration
spot and style of build, racing to an imaginary 2
boat-length distance behind the line. Once past
this point, your goal is to be trimmed on the wind
and racing, crew fully hiked and sails trimmed
for the mode that you agreed on in your practice
runs. The next minute is very important and the
dialogue about what’s needed or what you need
to do begins.
1. Helm
• Execute smooth steering throughout the start.
• Put the boat on angle, and focus on heel angle and
getting the boat to target speed off the line.
2. Tactician
• Communicate goals clearly—precise calls of where
the boat needs to be and what’s the next move.
• Position the boat for acceleration with focus on
timing, pulling the trigger.
• Give starting targets for executing game plan.
• Talk to trimmers to get the boat going with Helm.
• Handle port runner or take starboard runner and
wind on to load.
3. Main
• Make sure the mainsail is set up, ready for the
start.
• Listen to what’s needed for boat speed.
• Communicate about speed build with Helm and
Trimmer.
• Be ready to adapt and lead the moding if you are
in a compromised position off the line.
• Watch leeward boats’ gauge and performance off
the line; give feedback to Helm and Tactician.
4. Trimmer
• Talk about where jib trim is.
• Communicate about leeward boat’s gauge and
speed. If on layline or above the committee boat
layline, talk with Helm and Tactician whether you
could be shut out.
• Talk about when getting close to bottom boat
speed or are slow, and encourage speed build and
angle.
• Focus on getting the boat to speed and move
weight to windward ASAP once fully trimmed.
5. Trim #2
• Tail jib sheet in maneuvers or grind winch for
trimmer.
• Load and ready new winch.
• Adjust jib halyard and leads if needed.
• Possibly help wind on mainsheet on windward
winch; if not, help the Trimmer.
6. Pit
• Call time and Velocitek distance from the line.
7. Mast
• Control the crew-weight movement.
• Count down time for whole boat.
8. Bow
• Keep boat progressing with the fleet to the line.
• Communicate time-to-kill vs. build time; make
calls on not letting the boat get slow vs. nearby
boats.
• Try to keep boat moving level with fleet or
positioning for best build slot or trajectory to build
in.
• Make good, clear calls on where the bow needs to
be and if you can swing or not (without hitting an
overlapped boat). Skirt jib from time to time.
9. Floater
• Do the starboard runner; talk with main trimmer
about the runner load off the line.
• On final approach, may go to leeward mainsheet
winch for final trim-up once.