Sailing Starts #1 #sailing #yachtracing #racingboat #boat #sailboatracing

The start of any sailing race is critically important to you over success in any race. With the pin end favoured and some smaller boats crossing the fleet on port to try and own the ping end of the line there was a lot on during the start of this race in the annual frosties regatta at Strangford Lough Yacht Club.

The team on GTR got a leeward hook on What's the Rush II and forced to her to windward, as the two boats round up they nearly caught out an SB20 which was cross the two boats on port to try and line up at the pin end of the line.

After a close cross with and SB20 who was caught out by the sudden round up the team on GTR pushed What's the Rush head to wind while closing the gauge to setup for a nice leebow position as the make their run for the line.

The skipper on What's the Rush continue to turn up to try and get some gauge to windward to prevent the leebow. At one point What's the Rush went past head to wind, while this did give them some gauge to windward it slowed their boat speed significantly as the jib trimmer failed to release the sheet which resulted in the jib back winding which slowed them down and reduced the benefit of getting the additional gauge to windward.

The Mumm 36 GTR maintain more speed, hitting the line as the gun went, this allowed them to pinch a little closer to What's the Rush while they bore off the accelerate. This put the Mumm 36 GTR in the controlling position and allowed them to setup for a leebow which enable them to control the first beat.

If you would like to learn more about the leebow, check out one of our earlier videos which take you through the sailing science of won of the best attacking up wind manoeuvres.

Master the Leebow

The team at bottom up boats hope you enjoyed this video where we show you how we owned the start but attacking from a leeward position while hitting the line with speed.