Downwind Fast

Making the right decisions at the top of the run is crucial, says MARK RUSHALL

- Mark Rushall

Breathe: you made it!” After a great windward mark rounding (see my article in the July issue), the kite is up, the mainsail set up for the run, and it is time to open the fizzy drinks and get the sandwiches out…or is it?

The run is of course another sea of opportunity, and though hydration and nutrition do play their part in peak performance, we need to keep an eye on both the big and small downwind picture at all times on the run: our options quickly become restricted by decisions made or not made at the top of the leg.

This article aims to highlight some of the key factors behind your downwind decision making, and some of the set plays that you might utilise to make the most of them.

BIG PICTURE

WHERE ARE YOU HEADING?

In my windward mark article in the July issue we suggested that offwind decision making should begin well before the windward mark.

Here are six possible priorities that might drive your “big picture” decision making on the run:

MOVING PATCHES OF PRESSURE (DIAGRAM 1)

Pressure is often a bigger priority downwind than it was on the beat. A couple of knots more wind speed can make a much bigger difference to speed of progress (vmg) downwind than upwind, especially when apparent wind sailing. And downwind, you’re travelling in the same direction as the pressure patches, and will carry them down rather than meeting them head on and sailing straight through.