#RacingTopTip – Choose the Correct Mark

Situation:

You are on approach to the leeward gate and trying to decide which mark to round. It is blowing 15knts and the wind recently shifted 5 degrees.  What are you doing and looking for now?

Choose the Correct Mark

At a leeward gate one mark is always favored for your team. Your favored mark is typically the one that is further upwind, gets you to the side of the course you want to be on, allows you to come out of the rounding in-phase, and/or allows you to best navigate the bad air caused by teams flying spinnakers.

A great time to determine which mark is further upwind is at the beginning of the weather leg, immediately after the start.  As you pass the marks take note of their respective positions.  Of course on the downwind leg you should verify this information.  As you approach the leeward gate the tactician should know what the wind direction is and what the shifts have been.  As you can see in the diagram, a slight wind shift can result in one gate being a boat length (or more) further downwind.  Remember – that distance also needs to be made up by sailing an extra boat length of distance upwind (as seen in 2b).

If the gates are truly even, round the gate for the side you want – if you want the right side, round the right gate. Only in instances where you are immediately behind a competitor should you split and round the mark that is opposite the side you want before tacking back at the first opportunity.  This is done to ensure you have clear air for as long as you need.

Also, a common misconception is that the mark closest to you on the downwind leg is the mark that you should round.  This is not a factor in determining which gate is favored.  If you have to sail a little extra distance to get to the favored mark, do it!

Download the image by clicking here.

What else to think about when approaching the leeward gate:
Get the Spinnaker Down
Have a Clean Rounding

David Ullman, Founder and President of Ullman Sails

David Ullman (President, Ullman Sails International)
David is the founder and President of Ullman Sails International.  On the water David is a decorated sailor who has earned four World Championships titles, three in the 470 class (’77, ’78 and ’80) and one in the Melges 24 (’07); over 30 hemisphere, national and regional championship titles; and was named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year in 1996.

In addition, he is an S.O.R.C./Admiral’s Cup class-winning skipper, a U.S. Team Racing champion, a U.S. Men’s National Champion (Mallory Cup) and a five-time Southern California Lipton Cup Champion (1992-1997). David coached and sailed for the 2000 America’s Cup team “America True” as well as coached the 2003 America’s Cup team “Oracle”.  David has also coached extensively for U.S. Olympic sailing teams (bronze and silver medals in the 470 class), and currently coaches the U.S. Women’s 470 Olympic Sailing Team.

Learn more about David Ullman’s racing experience and more on his profile here: http://ullmansails.com/team/david-ullman/