It is easier to get a good start if you have a plan several minutes
before the start. There are three questions you should answer
during the beginning sequence:
1) What is the favored end of the line?There are many techniques used to answer these questions.2) What is the favored tack?
3) What is the favored side of the course?
The following explanation outlines one technique.
Favored End of the Line
Sail to the middle of the line and
then go head to wind. Look at the pin
and the committee boat. Whichever
is further ahead is the preferred end.
In this example the pin end of the
line is further ahead.
Favored Tack
A simple technique can also be used
in determining the favored tack.
The favored tack is that tack which
will take you to the windmark mark
in the straightest line. While head
to wind in the middle of the start line
look at the weathermark. If the
weathermark is straight ahead the initial
tack isn’t important. If the weathermark
is to the right, port tack is favored.
If the weathermark is to the left,
starboard tack is favored. In this example
starboard tack is favored.
Starboard tack will take the boat
towards the weathermark, port tack
would take the boat away from the
weathermark. It is important to keep
in mind that the race committee
can move a mark anytime before the
prepatory signal (blue flag).
If port tack is favored, it should
also be kept in mind that starboard tack
has right of way. It may pay to
start on starboard and tack to port as soon
as possible.
Favored Side of the Course
This question is harder to answer,
and will take more practice to perfect.
The favored side of the course is
where the most wind is. It is easy to tell
if there is considerably more wind
on one side of the course over the other.
It is more difficult to tell when
the difference isn’t very much. Check the wind
as soon as you arrive on the course.
Every couple of minutes check to see
which direction the wind is shifting.
Look at the course carefully for wind
patterns that show on the surface
of the water. You can get a better view
if you stand up.
If you determine the favored side
is on the left, don’t assume it will still be
the favored side at the start. The
favored side can change before and during
a race. If the pin is the favored
end and there is considerably more wind on
the race committee side of the course,
you may want to give up the pin end
in favor of the wind. With some
practice you will be able to better determine
where the wind is coming from, and
the patterns of shifts and velocity changes.