The forecast was spot on, the breeze has slackened as pressure rises, but now with…
5 tips – Essential yacht racing skills
5 tips: getting a good start – and the 60 seconds after that
The subtleties of a good start are more complicated than identifying a good spot to…
5 tips: the dip and the squeeze – techniques to get you away from the start fast
Even if you get clear air off the start line it’s likely there will be…
How to win at Cowes Week: some people seem to ‘get lucky’ every year! How do they do it?
Lone Star – XOD Name of boat: Lone Star – built 1960 Type of boat:…
The 10 most common Cowes Week mistakes – and how to avoid them
10. Running aground Tidal curves are essential and can be found free on www.easytide.co.uk. These…
5 tips: the leeward mark – learn to read situations as they develop
You’ve been catching the boat ahead since the top mark and their tactician is now…
Cowes Week sea breeze – getting to know your typical Solent summer winds
Clear skies at dawn and a hint of wispy cumulus rising above the mainland shore…
Cowes Week: Everything you need to know about this historic regatta
What is Cowes Week? Cowes Week is one of the best know sailing regattas in…
5 tips: surfing. How to use the waves to improve your downwind performance
Gone are the days of sitting back on the downwind legs to enjoy the view.…
Cheating at yacht racing – how honest a sailor are you?
In football a dive in the penalty area in search of an easy goal is…
Cowes Week tactics in the Eastern Solent: our local tips for the smart navigator
Shallow with shingle and mud, the Eastern Solent has a different character from the western…
5 tips: the bear away, where bigs gains can be made and mistakes are costly
Mark roundings are often where big gains can be made and where mistakes can be…
5 tips: how to trim your headsail for power and pace on the racecourse
The ultimate test of headsail trimming is the white heat of one-design racing and nowhere…
Cowes Week tactics: use our local knowledge to get the best out of racing in the western Solent
Knowing how to play the rocky Island shore and the shallow mainland coastline of the…
5 tips: mainsail trimming. Getting the best from your main can turn it into a tactical weapon
“More speed!” is the call from the weather rail. The helmsman is telling you he’s…
5 tips: how to avoid a crash gybe from a world champion TP52 sailor
The wind is rising steadily and what has been an exhilarating sail on a perfect…
5 tips: when, why and how to take a penalty in a yacht race – advice from top match racer Ian Williams
“It’s close, but we are easily clearing them,” is the call from the tactician as…
5 tips: going aground – how to get off the bricks as quickly as possible
Jonty Sherwill asked seasoned Solent racer Paul Heys for his 5 tips on staying afloat…
5 tips: how to get the best IRC rating
It’s the same type of boat going the same speed, but how come their IRC…
Can energy drinks and sporting supplements can help you race better?
From water bottles stuffed into cockpit rope bags to Mars bars tucked away in sailing…