“Are we in on this gybe?” is often a tricky question to answer when you…
5 tips – Essential yacht racing skills
5 tips: sailing with an asymmetric – how to get yourself out of impossible-seeming situations
You’re blasting downhill on port with the big asymmetric set, searching for a fast route…
5 tips: OCS (on course side) or over the line at the start – what should you do?
Pundits at any local sailing club say you’re not trying hard enough if you don’t…
5 tips: light airs racing – how to keep going when all around are drifting in circles
The forecast was spot on, the breeze has slackened as pressure rises, but now with…
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: 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…