Now we all love to reach, it is fast and exciting. But I know a lot of
people who when they go practising only practise reaching when it is
probably the last thing they need to be practising!!! Remember to get
your priorities right.

Sail the rumbline, the shortest (and usually the fastest) course
between any two marks in a straight line.

When it is windy sail higher in the lulls and sail lower in the puffs.

Do not play with your adjustments after rounding a mark, until you
have settled into the groove of the reaching leg.
 

• Look for the next mark.
• Protect clear air.
• Constantly check sail trim.
• A high or low course?
• Look to see what the rest of the fleet are doing, remember about
        the current.
• Generally if in front of a bunch go high, if behind a bunch go low.
• Check for gusts.
• Body position, boat balance for wave riding.
• Can you slipstream or use wake of boat in front (if it is slower use
         it to catch up and pass, if it is faster use it to increase your
         own speed).
• Are you working the boat within the rules?
• Establish overlap for mark, get into position early, think ahead.
• If luffing do it violently (under the new rules you have to give the
        other boat room and time to keep clear) and tell the skipper that
        you will not let him pass, make your intentions clear.
• If overtaking do so suddenly if possible, avoid big luffing matches
        (try to do it when they are not paying attention).
• Sail the rumbline, the shortest (and usually the fastest) course
        between any two marks in a straight line.
• When it is windy sail higher in the lulls and sail lower in the puffs.
• Do not play with your adjustments after rounding a mark, until you
        have settled into the groove of the reaching leg.