News - 2012

09:00 Thursday 21 Jun 2012 Rupert HolmesSome Helpful Hints from Rupert Holmes on the Considerations When Starting Downwind

Most editions of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week will see one or two running starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. These exercise different skills to those normally used at the start of a race, so a little practice in advance is certainly worthwhile. Even half a dozen timed runs into a buoy of your choosing under white sails will help with time and distance judgement – slowing down is a much bigger challenge than with an upwind start.

Careful judgement of the bias on the line is just as important as with an upwind start. Also consider where you want to head immediately after the start to gain maximum tidal advantage. If starting with a favourable tide you will want to stay in deep water and the strongest stream. However, with an adverse tide it’s worth seeking relief from the stream in shallow water. A change in the Sailing Instructions for this year allows White Group boats to head closer inshore off East Cowes than previously – on the first leg of their course they are now allowed to pass through the Shrape finish line.

Ideally, aim to find a line on starboard gybe that allows you to control the speed of your final approach to the start under white sails. This will allow you to bear away to approach the line faster, or luff up to slow your approach. It’s also worth having someone looking behind to sport gusts, especially if you have a light boat that accelerates quickly, as an unexpected puff could push you over the line prematurely.

If you will need to gybe onto port to get into the best place for the tidal stream, try to find a spot that allows you to do so around 20 seconds before the gun. Don’t hoist the kite until you’re certain you won’t be over the line, especially if you have a favourable tide. Equally, if you know in advance you’ve misjudged the approach and are definitely late, get it up as soon as possible.

With a light wind and a strong favourable tide the biggest challenge is often to stay on the correct side of the line before the start. In this situation you will be heading upwind, ideally on starboard tack until shortly before the start, gybing or bearing away towards the line once you’re sure there’s no chance of being OCS. This is not a time to judge the start too finely – if you’re a few seconds early it can easily take five minutes or more to return to the correct side of the line.