Approaching the Windward Mark
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Dear Auntie Alb, 

Why is it that as I get closer to the windward mark, I think that I'm doing OK, but then, just a few moments later as I round the mark, I seem to lose places? There just seem to be so many boats all milling around and getting in my way!

Congested of Congleton

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Dear Congested, 

Approaching the windward mark in a big fleet is nearly always hectic. Sometimes it's even chaotic, and occasionally, when anarchy reigns, it's downright dangerous. However, there are a few simple rules which can help reduce the trauma even if they don't quite make it go away.

Rule No. 1

It very rarely works to approach the mark from a long way off along either the port or starboard laylines, because as soon as you get locked into that long, long tack, either the wind shifts or other boats affect you.

If, for example, the wind heads and you are no longer heading for the mark, it isn't long before you sag down into the dirty air of leeward boats. It's also difficult psychologically as you watch boats that were to leeward and probably behind being able to tack onto the lifter and cross in front. Of course, it then becomes even worse when they tack back to cover you!

It could be argued that when the wind heads like that, you should tack. But what happens if the wind goes back? You will end up overstanding when you tack back again. It also means that you break the cardinal rule of sailing, i.e. almost invariably you should take the tack which takes you closest to the mark.

If, on the other hand, the wind frees when you are right out on one or other wing of the beat, you end up overstanding the mark. Then, not only have you sailed further than you actually needed to, but leeward boats that were behind now come up (and up!) until they lee-bow you. This so often happens, for example, on a sea breeze day at Looe when approaching the windward mark on starboard. Then the wind bending around the back of Looe Island frees and frees. 

Even if the wind doesn't shift, it is very difficult to judge precisely your final tack when more than 200 metres from the mark. Just think how many boats can fit into a 20 metre space if you overstand/under-stand by only 10%. It can be the difference between a good place at the finish or being "down the pan"! Not only that, if you are locked onto that long tack, how do you cope with boats that tack on your lee bow? You'll have to learn to cope because you are going to be in dirty air for a long time!

Actually, that's not quite right because it's not long before all that dirty air means that you can't lay the mark and then you really are in trouble. There are too many boats around to be able to manoeuvre easily and certainly too much disturbed wind and water to be able to move quickly. Of course, this effect is even worse when approaching the mark on port because any leading boats bearing away on the first reach will also cause trouble. They not only have the right of way being on starboard, but because the sailors are getting things organised for the reach, they will have their heads inside the boat and probably will not be looking where they are going! Also as they accelerate their wash increases and it becomes harder to punch through all that confused sea with only disturbed air to drive the boat.

Rule No. 2

Never ever approach the mark so that you have to tack within the “two hull-length circle”. Racing rule 18.3 has been designed particularly to stop boats sneaking in on port and then trying to tack in front of the starboard hordes:
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18.3 TACKING
If two boats were on opposite tacks and one of them tacked within the two-length zone to pass a mark or obstruction, rule 18.2 does not apply. The boat that tacked
(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid her or prevent the other boat from passing the mark or obstruction, and
(b) shall keep clear if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her, in which case rule 15 does not apply.
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It is such a strong rule and is so easy to prove for the protestor. All he has to do is get witnesses to say that they saw his jib back (i.e. he went above close-hauled) and his case is proved.

Rule No.3

Be prepared for less wind as you approach the mark because the press of boats acts as a barrier. The wind, trying to clear that obstacle by taking the easier route up and over, will lift off the water approximately 2-3 mast heights to windward of the fleet. So even the windward boats have less wind. Therefore everyone should reduce kicker and sheet loadings and be prepared to sail freer.

Rule No.4

Almost invariably, it pays to overstand the mark by a boat length or so. It is so much better to be able to bear away rather than to have to put in two extra tacks.

In any case that extra distance to windward means that as you bear away to go round, the boom can be eased well away. As the centre of effort goes forward in the sail plan, the boat bears away automatically without the sailors having to fight it.

If there are other boats around, then at least by being to windward, you have the best of what wind there is, and are affected less by the turbulent wash.

Rule No.5

Keep it simple, or KIS for short. Sometimes this is lengthened to KISS for the sailor to fill in the extra S!

What this really means is avoid trouble by spotting the dangers before they occur. In other words think ahead. There is no point in insisting on your rights for example, if it means getting locked into another boat and stopping.

The golden, golden rule is always bail out early. The longer you delay, the worse the problem will become.

So good luck with that windward mark rounding.

These rules do not, by themselves, guarantee a trouble-free rounding but they can certainly help to keep the heart rate down to manageable beats!

Auntie Alb