Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 1

Fernhurst Books' Sail to Win series: Optimist Racing

by Jeremy Atkins 12 Jun 2020 02:30 PDT

While we can't race at the moment, that's no reason not to try to improve. In this 10-week feature we will be providing an extract from each book in Fernhurst Books' Sail to Win series.

In this tenth instalment we turn to Optimist Racing by top coaches Phil Slater and Steve Irish, who have coached from a regional level to Britain's sailing stars, including Ben Ainslie and Hannah Mills (who writes the foreword to the book).

SAILING UPWIND IN WAVES

Basic Principles
Many styles of wave sailing can be seen at international events. Different wave conditions pose different problems, but two basic principles always apply:

  • It is vital that speed is maintained and as little of the boat's dynamic energy as possible is lost negotiating each wave
  • Energy loss occurs when the boat and helm are slowed by pitching, by sailing uphill and by wave impact on the bow or helm

Pitching
When a boat goes through waves, the ends of the boat move up and down. This is called pitching and this movement absorbs driving energy and slows the boat down. The more easily the ends can lift, the less energy will be lost. This can be achieved by:

  • Keeping the ends of the boat as light as possible. Food, drink, sponges, painters and paddles should all be stowed by the daggerboard box.

  • Sitting at the point where the boat pivots, so the boat moves without moving your body. Only the boat pitches - you maintain your equilibrium and less energy is lost. Allow your body to move with the motion of the boat, keep your core muscles relaxed and flexible. On larger waves you can help the bow rise by more forcefully rocking your shoulders back then returning to your equilibrium position.

Apart from the loss of energy and speed when pitching due to the hull moving up and down there is another effect. The rig will also rock backwards and forwards. The apparent wind moves forward as the rig rocks forward down a wave and, as the bow rises and the rig rocks back, the apparent wind moves backwards. This means that the sail is never set at the optimum angle causing loss of power and speed.

This isn't too much of a problem once you are overpowered because you can adjust to this with steering and playing the main. However, in lighter winds and big waves or chop, it can mean that, when trying to stop the boat pitching, it is better to keep the power in the sail and accept the loss from hitting the waves.

In these conditions you move your body the opposite way and, as the wave tries to lift the bow, you rock forward to try to push it down to keep the sail more stationary.

Uphill
Energy and speed are lost when the boat has to rise to go over a wave. In chop this isn't as much of a problem - pitching is more important. However, in larger waves, going up the face of the wave can slow you dramatically and cause lots of leeway.

You can steer to minimise the time going up the wave: head up as the wave lifts your bow then, on the top of the wave, bear away and power up. This is called power beating. As you get to the top of the wave and pull the power on, hike the boat level as forcefully as you can. Then move in for the short lull in the trough and as you head up the face of the next wave.

Wave Impact The impact of waves on the bow will kill boatspeed. The weather bow is particularly important because impact here results in water coming aboard.

  • Sit back to lift the bow: sailors 45kg or more sit 20cm behind the bulkhead; smaller sailors sit up to 60cm back in heavy weather
  • Heel the boat 5 degrees to lift the weather bow
  • Balance the boat by lifting the daggerboard
  • Sail fast and free
  • Allow the boat to pitch easily
Wave impact on the helm can seriously stop the boat. It is important in waves to hike with your thighs parallel to the boat so your body doesn't get close to the water and you can see the waves.

Wave conditions vary massively in size, shape and angle. When sailing in waves, the key is to work out which effect is the most detrimental to boatspeed and then deploy the best technique of set-up, steering, body movement and position to counter this. And remember waves are great fun!!

Bad Habits
Take a look at top competitors at an international event sailing to windward. Most will be storming along, hiking hard and appearing to be going fast. Take a closer look. While some are sailing with a smooth continuous motion, others sail fast then pause, slowing before getting back to full speed, then slow again.

Take a look at your own sailing. Do you sail smoothly and at maximum speed, or are you a pauser? It's easy to pick up bad habits which are hard to recognise and change.

  • Do you luff too much in the gusts? Is this due to letting your boat heel too much? Should you be playing the mainsheet to keep her level?
  • Are you fit enough to drive fast and hard for a whole beat? Are your hiking pants comfortable?
  • Are your feet supported firmly by the toestraps in the right places? Do you wriggle from one leg to the other, and what happens to the boat when you do this?
  • Do you really keep the boat level or is it heeled to leeward? It's easy to get used to an angle of heel which is comfortable, but it may make the boat unbalanced. How about trying an inclinometer on your mast thwart to help change your style?
  • Are you hitting waves with the bow or with your body?
When you are training or racing, try to sail the boat at 100% focus and as well as you can. Avoid picking up bad habits.

To learn more from top coaches Steve Irish and Phil Slater, Optimist Racing can be bought here with a 25% discount for those who sign up to the mailing list. It's also available in Hungarian and will soon be in German!

Related Articles

Meet the CYCA's Admiral's Cup Team
Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique. Posted today at 6:59 am
Who made the right call to get to the breeze?
And how technology is changing the Transpac Race to Hawaii Boats racing in the 2025 Transpac continue to reel in the offshore miles toward the finish line off Honolulu, Hawaii, in the 53rd edition of this historic 2,225-nautical-mile race. Posted today at 12:54 am
British Classic Week Day 2
An early start for Classes 1-3 as they prepared to race around the Isle of Wight It was an early start for the British Classic Week fleet on day two, as Classes 1-3 prepared to race around the Isle of Wight. Posted on 8 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 3
The leaderboard tightens at the halfway mark after today's racing in a building breeze After a frustrating day of waiting ashore on Monday, Day 3 brought back the action in Aarhus Bay with spectacular foiling conditions and a full day of intense racing. Posted on 8 Jul
Fleet advances to the last half of the AEGEAN 600
In contrast to yesterday's slow pace, the rate of progress has been much improved Most of the fleet of 59 Monohulls and Multihulls who are sailing in this year's AEGEAN 600 have either already entered the second half of the race at the island of Rhodes or are well on their way to reaching this important milestone. Posted on 8 Jul
Mediterranean Regatta season in full swing
A+T instruments seen all over Europe delivering high-level performance for racing fleets As regatta season gathers speed, A+T instruments were seen all over Europe delivering high-level performance for the racing fleets. Posted on 8 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 1
Storm cells circling Lake Garda lead to atypical and tricky conditions The 137 sailors representing 25 nations faced the first day of racing in conditions that were anything but typical for Malcesine, with unstable weather creating a complex, yet exciting, opening. Posted on 8 Jul
Temptation/Oakcliff takes line honours
In a thrilling Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race finish The race delivered fast conditions, high drama, and unforgettable moments on the 363-nautical-mile dash to Nova Scotia. Posted on 8 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
Teammates and Competitors Join Forces The strength of bonds forged in competition is a common theme among the second group of skippers and teams invited to compete in the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship. Posted on 8 Jul
The Ocean Race Europe Video Preview
We speak to Phil Lawrence, Peter Rusch & Pip Hare to find out more The Ocean Race Europe will take place between 10 August & 21 September, following a debut event in the summer of 2021. The racing is in IMOCA yachts, the same as the Vendée Globe, but this time with 4 crew and an OBR who will document the action on board. Posted on 8 Jul
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSelden 2020 - FOOTERRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER