It is curious that in the boat races are almost always the same patterns that are raised in victory.

Today, almost all we have the materials and equipment needed to address a test with enough options and, therefore, will be our qualities and our crew that will decide whether or not we deserve the success.

The great teacher Manfred Curry said: "Give me the worst ship in the fleet and, even then, you win by 10 lengths" ... and fulfilled.

In my view, the factors determining victory in a race, can be grouped according to their importance as follows:



1.Conocimiento regulation and tactics of racing.

2.Conocimiento wind technique.

3.Habilidad technique.

4.Rapidez of thought and action.


 
Of course, I also consider important the knowledge of time, endurance, self-confidence, courage, cunning, knowledge of the opponent, ... But these are things that we will be giving the experience so I prefer to consider them as secondary.


THE TACTICS OF RACE


We can consider race tactics and combat the various means available to us sailors.

Formerly, he was not given any importance to this aspect, each participant was engaged in making their journey regardless of the other competitors.

However, today, seems entirely unreasonable to attempt a fit of happiness and dedicate ourselves to do our own race from the rest of the fleet ... good sailor, you know at all times defend the stern of his opponents and have the skill to attack and overtake the advanced opponents.

In general, it is justifiable to speak of bad luck in a race boat. Of course, there may be times when the wind surprised us with their behavior (combirtiendo a certain critical tactical movement) but, typically, the Skipper, will be in charge of a test result.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE WIND

 
If only the tactics were decisive, the sailing would be tedious and dominated by people with scientific thinking and calculating.

Fortunately that is not the case and the combination of tactics and technique of wind that determine our decisions on race.

In this regard, it is essential the knowledge of our craft and their behavior in different directions and for different wind strengths. It may even be that in some cases, we make a determination based solely on such considerations (leaving aside the tactic)


Technical skill in sailing


This section also becomes crucial to our understanding of the craft.
Here, we must take into account aspects such as: What headsail use?, What pressure to give the crude back or stay?, What position to place the sole of the club?, Where the barraescota place, how much most upwind hunt?, ...

We must also consider here the correct handling of the cane. The cane of a yacht, must be moved very slowly and less the longer the boat. In opposition to this,
is the tiller that should be given to small vessels or extremely light (in which the movements should be swift and sudden).

Keep in mind that, always, we take the ship to its course in the shortest time possible and with as little loss of speed.

Navigating a course, our main concern will always maintain the flow through the leeward side of the majority (chimney effect)

It could release a huge roll on fluid mechanics trying to explain the decision that differs taken to achieve this goal or talk for hours about the physics of sailing. However, I do not want to sin in excess of heavy and limit myself to recommending a book to you who are interested in the topic:

Boat Racing and aerodynamics of the wing, Manfred Curry. Ed Young


SPEED OF THOUGHT AND DECISION

 
One thing to think quickly and, another, act promptly. I know many employers who have a great ability to make a mental decision about a situation but then are unable to run fast ... perhaps driven by insecurity or lack of confidence in themselves.

Both in sport and in real life, sometimes, it is essential to be able to carry out a thought in the shortest time possible and in a race, this capacity can reach to that victory is on our side or decant of our opponent .. if we are able to think and execute our attack before our adversary may have considered and have prepared their defense will almost certainly take the lead.

Finally, prior to close this chapter, to say that physical and mental endurance and concentration of thought and action, are also essential attributes in a good sailor.

It is very difficult to stay focused for hours in a race in light winds or calm. I must confess that I've never managed to keep 100% during a test of these features (especially if this is done the last day of a championship length).

I remember during the course of the last round of the III National Sailing Grand Prix Ballantine's, on a calm day with big waves, I even lost my temper and break my stick a blow with rage. So it is when a good Skipper must know how to delegate and hand over the command of the vessel to his deputy until he is able to calm down.

The other attributes (self-confidence, foresight, caution, ...) should be treated as secondary because they are qualities of our character and skills that we acquire and all, regardless of how we are, we can overcome in a race.