In this podcast, we expand the upwind race geometry series by talking about the ladder rungs, the rhumb line, and building leverage.

With a clear picture of the risk/benefit tradeoff of various upwind strategies, sailors who understand the geometry can make the right call for any given conditions, as well as analyze poor performances with a better understanding of where the race went awry.

This daring strategy takes advantage of the natural holes in the fleet that develop just before the start.   While some sailors consider the port tack approach more of a back-up plan than a strategy, it can be very useful in a crowded fleet.

While appearing simple to execute, the elegance of this strategy is in the finer points.  For example, it's important to follow through with the maneuver, and carry the port tack all the way to the windward side of the starting line gap.  If you chicken out and tack too soon, you will have wasted a slot of clear air at a critical moment.  Properly executed, the port tack approach leaves the skipper space on the line to foot down and accelerate for a start with full speed, in clear air. 

In this podcast, we review laylines, ladder rungs, and the danger of getting to close to the edge of the course.

This installment of the sailboat race starting series teaches you how to execute and avoid the pitfalls of the common dinghy race start.  Also, get a quick tip on how to figure out which end of the starting line is favored.