Racing Tips

Links to racing tips, articles etc.

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David Dellenbaugh Speed & Smarts Index

Speed & Smarts Newsletter - David Dellenbaugh (Racing tips, quiz etc. outstanding resource!)


Play Your Vang Around the Course

The Importance of Changing Gears

Sensible tips for improving speed

Regulate power with mast bend

Dave Curtis on going fast upwind

Upwind strategies for persistent shifts

The ‘Doppler’ Windshift Effect

Guidelines for Good Mainsail Shape

Steering and Sail Trim

Twenty Tips for Mainsail Trimmers

Boatspeed and Boathandling

Tactics and Strategy

Wally Cross on Tuning Your Rig

Calibrate Your Speed Controls

Boatspeed IQ Test

Look for Changes in Wind Direction

Make a ‘Game Plan’ For The Windward Leg

How You Can Tell When the Wind is Shifting Persistently

Smart Moves Near the Laylines

Converging on Port Tack

Avoid Bad Air from Other Boats

Improve Speed with Communication

Keys to Success at Downwind Starts

Create and Protect a ‘Hole’ at the Start

Work On Your Starting Position

Applying ‘Leverage’

Figure Out the Favored Side First

Assess Your Risk Level at the Start

Sensible Tips for Improving Speed

Overlaps and Room

Sail Fast Toward the Corner

Upwind Strategies for Persistent Shifts

On a Beat, Sail Fast in the Lifts

Strategies for Oscillating Shifts

Beat Your Competition to the Finish

Trim Your Main for Speed on Runs

Talk With Your Teammates

How to Pick the ‘Favored’ End

Why and How to “Shoot” the Finish

Pick a Fast Angle for Running

How To Do A Legal (and fast!) 720°

Go For It on the Second Beat!

Wind Shadows and Apparent Wind

Four Rules of Thumb for Strategy on Runs

Create Your Own Tacking Lines

The Art of Passing on a Reach

Crew roles on reaches

Turn Efficiently at the Jibe Mark

Stay in Control at the Jibe Marks

Execute a “Perfect” Rounding

Tune Up With a Friend

Heads-Up As You Approach the Mark

Work on Speed Near the Mark

Prepare Your Boat for Speed

Ducking Another Boat Upwind

Position Yourself for Success

How to Cover Upwind

Go the Right Direction!

How to Sail Fast Up the First Beat When You Have... Oscillating Shifts

Speed Tips for the First Beat

Try These Moves After Your Start

Six Ways to Figure Out Which End is More Upwind

How to Carve Out Your Spot On the Line

Figure Out the Wind Patterns

How to Report Your Speed

Locate Your Weight

Basic Principles of Strategy

Wind Indicators

Play your vang around the course

Risk and Reward: Don't Take Unnecessary Chances

On Runs Steer by "Feel"

Learn to Love Light Air

Develop a Quick "Paw"!

Help Yourself by Hailing

Keep Your Speed Up