All of us know the agony of watching a pack of boats pick up a massive lift on one side of the course while we’re pinned on a header on the other side. Or maybe you’ve been lucky enough to experience that golden leg where every tack was perfectly timed as you picked your way effortlessly to the top mark, benefitting richly from one shift after another.
The difference between these two scenarios comes down to being able to understand what the wind is doing and setting your strategy accordingly.
Three of the most common breeze scenarios on the racecourse are:
- Oscillating shifts
- Persistent shifts
- One-sided racecourses
Each requires a different strategy – and recognising which one is in play, ideally before the start gun, is the key to a great first beat. This article breaks down the characteristics of each, gives some tips on how to spot them, and some hints how to develop a winning plan using a solid pre-race routine.
