Team Volvo Tips : Laser Hiking with Nick Thompson

Improve your Laser sailing techniques with tips from top British Sailing Team sailor Nick Thompson.

unless planing is in the offing, keep your weight as far fwd as possible in the Laser, literally as far fwd as you can - even when hiking - as far fwd as possible, without digging the bow into the waves. The design of the boat is such that the vessel tends to drag its stern a bit which is a notable drag on speed.

[jonathanshore]

How to use kinetics with nick Thompson

[gianmariobroccia]

I`m actually confused by the work with the helm. You appear to bear away on the top of the wave, but this leads you to drammatically increase the angle respect the wind, as you rarely head up.
I instead head up when climbing the wave and bear down the time I descend along its "back". This usually allows me to keep a good angle and not go sideways. I also try to make more speed as the waves get bigger but my abovementioned work remains the same. I am still able to head up by inertia and counter the "gust effect" you usually feel on top of a wave.

What do you think about it? Take into account that I am 171cm x 73kg.

[Flaaaaanders]

That much tiller movement causes drag, its likely just to show us how to keep loose

[craigmclean]

Great video! What type devices are you using to record the voice audio?

[toshinaritakayanagi]

Could someone explain how and why Nick is steering this way? He pushes and pulls the tiller extension fairly hard and in certain rhythm. At what timing he pushes the tiller extension (such as hitting the wave?) and pulls it back? Also, what happens if we hold the tiller extension around the center line and does not steer much?

[jaymacpherson]

Reminds me of all the times the Lasers started 5 min after the GP-14s, and ended up beating all of us to the finish line. But not when the wind blows harder than in this video!!! Then GPs may rule!

[enochpowellnickgriff]

Why is he wagging the tiller? That causes drag and pulling the mainsheet in and out surely spills wind from the sail?

[davehauni]

how tall are you( in order to regulate)

[edwardbackman]

Why is he playing his main so much? I thought you're supposed to stay two blocked upwind in those conditions

[marctorres]

vaya remadas con el timón, si señor...

[chrisbarrett]

He's a little underpowered to be hiking that hard that's why he has to keep paying off to power up

[Erik_]

To much ruder movement it slows you down

[erikanderson]

Why is he steering so hard? Don't tell me that's compensation because his boat is turning quite a bit



That must be slow too.