| Vol 2 - Issue 7 | May/June 1998 |
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On The Bookshelf By William Wallick PERFORMANCE RACING TACTICS by Bill Gladstone. |
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Performance Racing Tactics contains a wealth of information for the
racing enthusiast. Reprinted in 1997 it reflects the recent rule changes
under which we now race. The illustrations are clear and well done,
which is important in a book of this type. Gladstone begins Chapter 1 by showing you a pyramid, a racing pyramid. The solid |
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base/foundation of the pyramid is Boat Handling.
On top of that lies Boat Speed, and nestled comfortably atop the
pyramid are Tactics. As the title indicates this book is dedicated to
tactics and it is assumed that the readers boat handling skills and boat
speed are competitive, because it is not covered in this text.*
Consequently, this may not be the best book for a beginning racer who
would better benefit from a general introduction to racing. This is an
excellent book for those who have raced a few years, and to use a
common phrase “have their head out of the boat” at which point one can
begin to utilize tactics.
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“Tactics lies at the top of the racing pyramid. To race successfully, you must work your way up the pyramid: Your boat handling must be second nature, and your boat speed second to none. Tactics alone will rarely win races. Tactics just helps you beat boats with comparable boat handling and boat speed.” |
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Chapter 2: Race Preparation stresses the importance of preparation.
There is a suggested “Pre-Race Checklist” and a “Race Planner” for
recording wind, compass and other strategic information. There is also
a blank Race Planner that you can photocopy for your own use. While
this chart may seem more practical with the “big boats,” even if you opt
not to use it physically, you should be doing this mentally, and the
planner will help you organize your information for developing your
course strategy.
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Many races are won or lost before they even start. As boats head for the line, some are ready to race and others are not. |
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Chapter 3: Starting Strategy gets into the nitty-gritty of how to “…hit the
starting line at the favored end, with speed and clear air, and freedom to
maneuver at will. A good start is one which finds us in the front row,
free and clear, not just at the gun, but a minute later, after the sprint off
the line.” Starting strategy is, obviously, based on what your strategy is
for the first leg, and this is covered early in the chapter. Gladstone later
discusses the set of the line, favored ends, and calculates how much
difference a favored end makes. Approaches to the line are covered in
detail as he describes various techniques: Reach Out and Back, Half
Speed Approach, Triangle Approach, Vanderbilt Start, Port Tack/Pin
End Start, Port Tack/Midline Start, Port Tack Start, Luffing Start,
Elvstrom Start, and the Dip Start.
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The start of a sailboat race is one of the most exciting and demanding moments in sports. Starts require judgement, timing, and teamwork. They require an understanding of wind and weather, and knowledge of strategy, tactics, and rules. Starts demand dexterity at close-quartered maneuvering. Finally, starts require the ability to stay cool and concentrate in a n environment packed with distractions. These requirements create a uniquely thrilling, and at times baffling, challenge. |
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Chapter 4: Starting Tactics delves into what type of tactical information
you need to execute your start. We all know to hit the line at the gun,
with full speed in clean air but it’s not always possible. Here he gets into
how to make it work: Sail Your Boat, Creating Room, Controlling Speed,
Killing Time, Keeping Clear Air, Accelerate, Faster than Full Speed,
Defending your Space, Starting near a Marshmallow, Call the Line,
Calling Time, Speed, and Distance, and Getting Off the Line. Knowing
that there is more to starting than theory, Gladstone gets into the pitfalls:
Caught Going the Wrong Way, Son of Caught Going the Wrong Way,
Too Far from the Line, Too Late, Too Early, Barging, Can’t Fetch the
Pin, Buried at the Start, Starting in Bad Air, Tunnel Vision, Start above a
Pincher, Start below a Footer, and Rules. Typical catamaran regattas
having many races run on shorter courses means many starts during a
day of racing. Although you don’t have to be first off the line to win, a
bad start is most difficult, if not impossible, to overcome.
Chapter 5: Rules at Starts covers luffing, barging and other starting rules. Chapter 6: Offbeat Starts examines at running starts, reaching starts and starts on one-legged beats. Chapters 7 and 8 are complimentary chapters on Upwind Strategy (a plan based on how you would race in the absence of other boats) and Upwind Tactics (how you could deal with those pesky other boats). The strategy chapter utilizes the Race Planner introduced in Chapter 2 and also discusses wind and current. Chapter 8 looks at the following situations tactically: wind shifts, tactical principles for positioning and control, the windward leg tactical weapons, upwind rules, and “Why and how to eliminate tactics from your racing!” |
“Tactics are relatively unimportant in mixed fleet races, where you are racing the clock. In one-design or level rated racing tactics predominate - as your closest rivals are the boats nearby. |
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Reaching Strategy and Tactics is covered in Chapter 9 followed by
Running Strategy and Tactics in Chapter 10. Chapter 11 continues with
downwind rules, mark rounding, and of course finishing.
The book concludes with a chapter on rules (12 - Learning the Rules), chapter 13 deals with weather issues, chapter 14 (Special Topics) talks about mixed fleet racing, big fleet racing, and distance racing strategy. Chapter 15 is devoted to Wally. Wally was the code name given to a computer program that modified target boatspeeds for changing wind directions. Wally was initially used in 1987 by Dennis Connor aboard the Stars and Stripes in the America’s Cup. Details are given for Upwind Wally and Downwind Wally. |
The gains realized in Australia by using Wally were greater than the increases in 12 Meter target boatspeeds over the last two decades. |
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Chapter 16 is a guest chapter by Peter Isler and deals with match racing
tactics. Gladstone concludes the book with Chapter 17 No More Tactics
which is a short rumination on the trouble with tactics.
RECOMMENDATION: If you love to race, this book definitely belongs on your bookshelf. If you’re somewhat new to racing, buy this book. You’ll re-read it many times and keep learning from it as you improve your sailing/racing skills. *Gladstone has a companion text, Performance Racing Trim, that deals with boat tuning. PERFORMANCE RACING TACTICS by Bill Gladstone. The book is available through Layline, Inc. (request item BOOKTAC). They may be reached through their web site at http://www.layline.com or call toll free 800-542-5463. Be sure and request their 1998 catalog (very well done). Published by Gladstone Sailing Services. Copyright 1997. Price: $25.00, softbound, 200 pages, 8 1/2x11. William Wallick wallick@concentric.net Back to Features |