Sunday, August 22, 2010
British Nationals
This amazing event was a vivid experience. Over 500 sailors gathered together to race in the British National Championship to see who was the best of the best in England. My most favorite part of the regatta was the World record. Over 500 sailors set up on a huge starting line. Suddenly the start went off as 500 people launched off the line. The World record was the most sailors tacking on the whistle. When the horn blew everyone counted 1....2....3.... TACK.... then everybody tacked simultaneously. This went on for about 10 to 15 minutes upwind. Another great thing that happened is that I got to meet Ben Ainslie who is one of the greatest sailors of all time.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Water bond
Water is one of the most powerful bonds so we want to use that as our advantage to our sailing.
Upwind you want to have your entire boat bonded with the water so it creates lift and flow over your foils (daggerboard and rudder). To do this you will need to keep your boat perfectly flat.
On the reaches and downwind you want the water to not bond onto your boat. In order to do this you must use waves for extra speed and to use your mainsheet by pumping it. Pumping- When a wave comes behind your and starts lifting you up you pull in your sail semi slowly. Then suddenly you just drop your hand down to pop your leach open creating speed into the wave. You will also need to work your body weight at all times.
Upwind you want to have your entire boat bonded with the water so it creates lift and flow over your foils (daggerboard and rudder). To do this you will need to keep your boat perfectly flat.
On the reaches and downwind you want the water to not bond onto your boat. In order to do this you must use waves for extra speed and to use your mainsheet by pumping it. Pumping- When a wave comes behind your and starts lifting you up you pull in your sail semi slowly. Then suddenly you just drop your hand down to pop your leach open creating speed into the wave. You will also need to work your body weight at all times.
How to stay fit for sailing
Normally the coaches will tell you to go for a long run but that really does not do anything for sailing but push your limits for practicing. But before every time you sail you should take a light jog just to get the blood pumping to your vital organs so you can perform better on the water.
One of the most important things is to stretch. It allows you to move around in your boat easier and prevents cramps later on after sailing. Your core is also a big part. You must do sit ups, leg lifts, and all sorts of core exercising techniques every other day in the week. Strengthening your core will allow you to ooch your boat with ease and especially will give you better stamina in hiking out. A way to keep you on your game is to drink a ton of water (About one before and after a race). Also you should eat normally. Eating snacks may not be a good thing because it does not give you the proper amount of energy. A good snack to have that will give you energy is peanut butter.
One of the most important things is to stretch. It allows you to move around in your boat easier and prevents cramps later on after sailing. Your core is also a big part. You must do sit ups, leg lifts, and all sorts of core exercising techniques every other day in the week. Strengthening your core will allow you to ooch your boat with ease and especially will give you better stamina in hiking out. A way to keep you on your game is to drink a ton of water (About one before and after a race). Also you should eat normally. Eating snacks may not be a good thing because it does not give you the proper amount of energy. A good snack to have that will give you energy is peanut butter.
Friday, August 20, 2010
optimist sailing tips
Tacking tips
1. Make sure you are going fast and not pinching while you approach your tack.
2. Get ready to tack and let your rudder guide itself over so you do not over steer.
3. Right when the front part of your sail starts to bubble you ooch your body weight out allowing your boat to roll.
4. While you are leaning out you want to over trim your sail so you head up into the wind more while rolling your knees forward.
5. Next you want to let out your sail so it powers up.
6. Jump across the boat while putting one hand on the daggerboard trunk and one hand on the windward rail.
7. Try to land far forward with your knees facing forward and as you are flattening trim your sail back in to power it up.
8. Switch your hands while keeping your boat flat and keeping your sail full.
Finally your tack has been fully approached correctly.
1. Make sure you are going fast and not pinching while you approach your tack.
2. Get ready to tack and let your rudder guide itself over so you do not over steer.
3. Right when the front part of your sail starts to bubble you ooch your body weight out allowing your boat to roll.
4. While you are leaning out you want to over trim your sail so you head up into the wind more while rolling your knees forward.
5. Next you want to let out your sail so it powers up.
6. Jump across the boat while putting one hand on the daggerboard trunk and one hand on the windward rail.
7. Try to land far forward with your knees facing forward and as you are flattening trim your sail back in to power it up.
8. Switch your hands while keeping your boat flat and keeping your sail full.
Finally your tack has been fully approached correctly.
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