Training
Greenwich Sailing Club Training weekend. 8 - 9 March 2008.
Coach - Dave O'Connor
(world ranked in the 49er class, and currently inducted under a
Yachting Australia and Australian Institute of Sport programs)
Program of events:
Saturday:
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Boat Speed
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Boat Hand (handling)
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CAH (below for definition)
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Gear Changes
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Pressure / Shifts (minimal covered on the Saturday)
Sunday:
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Boat Hand
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Tacks, Gybes
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Mark Rounding
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Boat Control
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Boat Speed
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Body trim
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Sheet trim
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Fleet management
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Starts
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Positioning
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Introduction to Tactics
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Strategy
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Pressure Shifts
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Fleet management
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Starts
-
Positioning
Important terms:
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VMG - Velocity Make Good
-
CAH - Constant Angle of Heel
Starts:
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3 rules
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On time
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Right Direction
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VMG
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Starboard tack for the "Rack up" (yachts lining up for the start)
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At 1 minute 30 seconds out, you want to aim to be about 4-5 boat lengths from
the line, on a starboard tack, boat stopped, sails flapping.
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At 30 seconds out, you want to be 2-3 boat lengths from the line.
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At 7 seconds out pull on your main sheet, maximise VMG, take the bull by the
horns and go! Perfect start!
Points of note:
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Take the Bull by the horns, don't be afraid of your boat, make your boat afraid
of you.
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Race mode sailing; don't just sit down the back as ballast, get up and
anticipate, look for the edge.
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Head out of the boat, look up and out, anticipate shifts in pressure (wind),
watch out for ferries and big yachts!
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Plan and Strategy, "where would I go if I were the only yacht on the course".
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Putting us where we want to be, decide what we want to do.. Tactics.. or as one
great tactician once said "Tick Tacs, lollies in a tin, if your tactic doesn't
work.."
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Always sailing in or towards pressure.
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Pressure, the wind, look for signs like, wind ripples on the water, darker
patches of water, choppy water approaching you.
sdrawkcaB sailing, (hah! Backwards sailing. Getting out of irons - push the
tiller and boom in the direction you want to turn)
Downwind gybing, always looking, seeking pressure.. (not down in the galley
making cocktails..)
Again:
-
VMG - Velocity Make Good
-
CAH - Constant Angle of Heel
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