5 EXPERT TIPS

CHARLIE CUMBLEY ON WINDWARD MARK ROUNDINGS

While there may be many factors that feed into a successful windward mark rounding, Charlie Cumbley boils it down to one overriding aim: "Ultimately you're trying to get to the top mark, sailing the minimum distance at the best VMG."

Charlie's five best tips explain how to achieve that goal, although there is an important caveat: you need to tailor your approach to your abilities and your current skill level. Living in a thin lane, tacking in late from port on to a congested starboard layline - these are where small margins can make the difference between succeeding or failing badly. Get it wrong and you might find yourself being forced to take a penalty turn, or missing the mark and having to gybe around for a second go while you frantically search for a gap in the endless line of starboard-tack traffic. So while some of these tips work for anyone regardless of skill level, others will require some practise and commitment to improvement.

1 DON'T BE TOO EARLY 

A common rule of thumb is not to get to the laylines too early on the beat, and starboard side is almost always more painful than port. So you're looking to get as far up the course as possible inside of the laylines and leave your last tack as late as possible - easier said than done if you're in the middle of the fleet and everyone is fighting for a clean lane and clear air.