Getting a good start

We have discovered over the years that one of the most critical elements to any race is the start. If you don’t get it right and end up at the back of the fleet it can be very difficult to fight your way through all the dirty air and your position will often get worse as a consequence.

The key to a good start is preparation. No doubt you may have seen a sailor, or you yourself have barley made it to the start line in time. You hit the line with speed at the favoured end and end up in the front end of the fleet, or, better still in first place. While this is a great situation, it more often than not does not work out this way. It is the sailor who puts in the preparation and knows what is going on at the starts who generally will get the better start.

All successful sailors will develop a starting strategy that varies from start to start. It involves them collecting and analysing information about the start line, their competitors and wind patterns. These and other elements combine to form a starting strategy that hopefully will see you nail the start and be out in front in clean air to get the first wind shift. The key components included in a starting strategy are listed below in a rough chronological order. While some are obvious you would be surprised at how many people do not implement them.

1. FORECAST
Prior to going sailing check the weather and tide forecast so that you can have a clear picture of what is likely to occur with both of these important start line factors.

2. BRIEFING
Make sure that you attend the briefing and have a clear understanding of course and start line location, start sequence including starting flags and any other specific sailing instructions.

3. GET OUT EARLY ON THE COURSE
Get out on the course early enough to check the wind direction and strength. Where is the top mark and any other down wind marks. If possible sail to the top mark on opposite sides of the course and look at any wind patterns that may develop. Where are the lifts and what side of the course is favoured.

4. KNOWING THE TIME
Wearing a watch that allows you to count down the time to the start is critical to getting a good start. This will allow you to be on the line and ready to go at exactly the right time and most importantly ensure that you are not over the line.

5. SET A START LINE TRANSIT POINT
It sounds silly, but it is critical to know exactly where the start line is, particularly if the start line is long. The best way of doing this is to set a start line transit point. This is an imaginary line that runs through the start line to a marker on the shore so that at any point you can see where you are relative to this point. In large start lines sailors in the middle of the line are invariable further back from the line than they think. This start transit line will help resolve this particularly when you get down to the hectic few seconds before the start.

6. WHICH END IS FAVOURED
Often start lines are not set square to the top mark and the prevailing wind direction. That is, one end of the line is closer to the top mark. This often comes about as a result of wind shifts after the course has been set or through poor laying or the start line. Most of the time it is pretty clear which end of the line is favoured. If you are not sure stop on the line and hold your hull parallel to the angle of the line. Holding your sail by the mast so the sail luffs freely, the clew end of your boom will point to the end that is NOT favoured. Obviously the intention is to be at the favoured end so that you can gain as much advantage as possible.

7. TEST THE LINE
If you have investigated the first beat next spend a bit of time checking out the start line, test the line, check the lay-lines, and keep checking the wind direction. Test your start procedure and plan for getting a quick clean start. Practice your pre start board handling skills.

8. YOUR POSITION ON THE START LINE
As a part of your starting strategy and with consideration to the above points think about where on the line you would like to start from. Matters to consider include:

• Large fleets tend to start from fairly stationary positions on the line. Consequently don’t be afraid of coming in from port to reach your desired position on the line as the starboard boats are generally moving very slowly. The exception to this may be in smaller fleets where boards may sail up to the line.
• You don’t have to do what everybody else does, but if you are starting in a big fleet and you want a particular position on the line, you’ll have to learn and practice holding your board still for a minute or more before the start signal.
• An alternative strategy is to hang back and see what spaces opens up, but be careful not to be blocked in second row. When on the line, it is important to have some room to leeward, so you can reach off and accelerate as the signal goes. To achieve this, try to point high at your approach, and subtly luff your windward boat to create that pocket to leeward. Regardless where you are on the line, this is always paying off.
• In the event of a neutral line, the correct side is always to leeward, due to the “wall effect” (the wind hitting the fleet and bearing off to both sides) allowing the leeward boats to point considerably higher than those to windward.
• In the event of a port biased line and you are at that end the advantages are clear air, the ability to get to the favoured left side of the course and a head start on all boats behind and to weather. Disadvantages are that many others will want to be at the port end preventing you from getting away cleanly or blocking you from tacking if the line is extremely biased.
• Port starts – Unless radical shifts or heavily favoured port ends, it is not recommendable to take the risk. However, it is very important to understand the advantage of an early entry to port in a big fleet. As soon as you have the opportunity directly after the start, go to port. By entering the opposite tack early, you have a much better wind flow without backwinds, and will advance through the fleet, if you manage to stay on that tack long enough during the first crucial minutes.

9. GETTING CROWDED IN
One of the disadvantages to the favoured end is that most people will want to be at it. Consideration should be given to being away from this crowd of people so that you can get clear air and lead the pack through board speed. Finding a place on the line where you have room to move may be more important than starting in heavy traffic at the favoured end.

10. THIRTY SECONDS TO ZERO SECONDS
This critical period requires quick reaction time and decisive board handling to maintain your position. Critical board handling skills in this time that you need to master include:

• Hold your board behind the line nearly stationary keeping just enough movement to maintain your position on the line.
• Accelerate as soon as the boat to leeward just before the gun.
• Reverse the board so that you can stay in position on the line.
• Practice at least one acceleration drill before the starting sequence to know the time and distance to full speed for the wind and wave conditions.
• Just before the start time you will need to begin your acceleration through sheeting in and several rapid pumps. Do not try to point too high to early. Get your speed up first so that you can get clean air and hit the line with speed.
• Be quick to protect your position in lifts, puffs and lulls just before the gun.

11. ZERO SECONDS-TWO MINUTES AFTER THE START
This period after the start is critical. If you have done well out of the start you will need to protect your lead or position in the lead boats. If your start was poorly executed, don’t panic, rethink your strategy and move to Plan B. Some of the things to think about include

• - Find lanes of clear air and stay with your game plan, unless obviously wrong.
• - Set your transit points and look for wind shifts.
• - Use the rules and call your opponents when on starboard tack.
• - If another board tacks on your wind, tack and come back to follow your pre-start plan.
• - If a board is on your quarter, know at what distance you can tack and duck his stern.
• - Look for your lay lines and don’t stray beyond.

12. START LINE RULES
Knowing your start line rules is important. Some of the key rules include:

• - No barging on the start line
• - Starboard board has right of way
• - Luffing rights – use them to your advantage.
• - Premature start – 1 blast individual recall, start boat will usually will call your sail number. 2 blast general recall and countdown recommences.

13. SET GOALS
Aim to stay with someone in the fleet who is slightly better than you. Aim to cover them and beat them. This is how you can see improvement.

14. STAY FOCUSED.
Once the starting gun has gone pay attention to what is happening around you. Champions in any sport think they can win and strive to do so. They are willing to make mistakes, learn from them and prepare for the next race. Above all, be positive and enjoy the process of becoming the best racer you can.

If you have any other suggestions on how to get a good Longboard start please let us know. Either provide comment below or send us an email.