Rounding the Weather Mark
By Olympic Coach Skip Whyte
Sailing around the weather mark properly is npt as simple as pulling the tiller to windward and letting out the sails. Because there are so many forces coming into play, many boats on the race course do a pooor job of rounding marks, losing valuable speed and distance.
To execute a good mark rounding, a lot of things need to happen at the same time. To help the boat bear away, it must remain level or heel slightly to windward. THis usually isn't easy because the heeling force is at a maximum on a close reach, the boat wants to heel to leeward. If there's a spinnaker to be set, heeling the boat to windward is even more difficult because the skipper and crew tend to be reachjing for the spinnaker halyard and pole, respectively. Here;s how to a have a better rounding.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL MARK ROUNDINGS
1. Hike extra hard as you bear away, particulary if it's windy.
2. Begin easing the sheets before bearing away
3.Make sure you're ready to ease both sheets. The mainsheet tends to get wrapped around the skippers keet or hiking strap. Skippers, before bearing away, pull some of the piled-up mainsheet out of the boat and hold it above your forward shoulder so you can ease the sheet in a hurry as you round. This is very effective for Lasor sailors who need a very bif ease.
4. Watch out for bad waves and wakes. You may not be able to avoid them, but if you're aware of them, you can make the right adjustments.
5. Keep your head out of the boat until you finish the round. Concentrate on maintaining maximum speed as opposed to executing a fast spinnaker hoist.
6. Have FUN!
Taken from the Spring 2000 issue of Junior Sailor