I'm kicking myself because I'm late for the first start-there's a lot of current for 5 knots of breeze, and my timing to the line is way off. I'm last across the starting line. I'm "Deep 6."
But this is three-versus-three-team racing, so I'm not alone. Ahead, my teammates are scheming how to advance me to the front. They round the first windward mark in second and third. They've done their job well, and my crewmates and I claw our way forward. Having practiced how to convert this losing combination, they immediately slow the pace of the race and consolidate against our opponents' 4-5 positions as we round mark two of the box-shaped racecourse and turn downwind.
If you're unfamiliar with "3v3" team racing, pay attention because there's a lot going on as this plays out: Because I am in sixth and last place, I'm in better proximity to cover my opponents, but the real gain will be made at mark three. My teammate Ashley Love and her crew are in second place, known as "the 2" in team racing. Meanwhile, once inside the two-boat length zone (two is standard for team racing), our teammate Janel Zarkowskey and her crew obstruct the opposing team's 4-5 combination without losing control of either boat. The inside opponent is forced to slow and honor Zarkowskey's mark-room. The other boat must avoid Zarkowskey and sail extra distance around the outside. The extra maneuvers slow my opponents while I sail past the mark with speed. We are now in a stable winning 2-3-4 combination and notch our first race win-and impressive "double passback"-in the 12-minute race.
After the race, I apologize to Zarkowskey for the hiccup in our start. "This is why we race as a team," she replies.
Denne historien er fra Fall 2023-utgaven av Sailing World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Fall 2023-utgaven av Sailing World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tips for More Successful Epoxy Projects
That have nothing to do with epoxy mixing or application techniques
Auxiliary Rear Station Build
From past fishing experiences, I've learned that quick changes in speed and direction are often required when retrieving a hooked fish.
TARGETED PERFORMERS
Defending their title at the 420 Youth Worlds in July, Freddie Parkin and Asher Beck were on a roll-until they weren't.
BALANCE ON THE PINNACLE
The path to gender equity in the Olympics has been a long and twisted one, but when the sailors assemble in Marseille next year, we'll finally see what's been a long time coming.
SIMPLE STEPS TO CONSISTENT SPEED
Boatspeed is the magic ingredient for winning races because we can get away with bad decisions if we are fast, but we can't make good choices if we're slow.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL JIB-LEAD ADJUSTMENTS
Floating jib leads give trimmers more dynamic control of the headsail profile.
BETTER TOGETHER
Success over three decades comes down to making it meaningful.
JUSTINE THE MACHINE
This self-effacing Swiss sailor has-in her quiet and understated way become one of the stars of offshore ocean racing in recent years, whether as part of a winning crew in The Ocean Race or building her credentials as a top-class solo racer.
THE MULTITASKING MULTIHULL MOM
Competing in Olympic sailing's most challenging discipline is one thing, but doing so with a tyke in tow takes the campaign hustle to a higher level.
CONNECTED COAST TO COAST
From sunny St. Pete to historic Marblehead, the 34th edition of the Regatta Series linked sailors and friends across the country, with a few new twists.
