Sprinting

[Derek James]

I have signed up for the sprint nationals with Ed Tuite at Instowe in June ( Another first for Draycote SC ) So Ed and I have embarked on an intensive training programme at Draycote to refine our sprinting techniques . So far so good . We have managed to adjust our harnesses which appear to have shrunk over the winter period and we have worked out how to clip onto trapese wire and fall over the side of the boat .
What is the current thinking on boat trim when beating ? Should the boat be flat or slightly bows down ?
Also , in a blow we are constantly over powered beating , is it best to luff up or ease off the main sheet or let out the traveller ?
Any advise much appreciated . Wind looks good for coming w/e for our next practice session !

[Brian Phipps]

Hi Derek, couple of thoughts/ ideas you may want to try.
1) Try using the trapeze ring with the elastic pulling the hook up rather than down, does not suit all but certainly worth a try.
2) Think carefully where you have your hand on the tiller extension so that the rudders stay central when you move in and out.
3) Bow up or bow down will depend on the sea conditions and whether you are going for hight or speed.
4) When you feel overpowered and ease the mainsail from hard in the first thing that happens is the leach at the top of the mainsail opens up and blades off , all good stuff. If you ease more the lower section of the sail starts to move out and that goes deep and powers up not so good , so time to ease the traveller, that is the same on or off the wire sailing. The other bit you need to consider is the slot between the main and jib, if you ease main or move the traveller down you need to think about the effect that will have on the jib slot and adjust accordingly if required.
Hope that helps.
Brian Phipps Windsport Cat Clinic

[Derek James]

Well , great day for sailing and sprinting , the wind was a good 20 knots all day with the odd gust and shift . Ed and I put in a good sprinting session this morning . Just a couple of things . 1) How come Ed can go faster and point higher by hiking than I can trapesing ? 2) The boat kept stalling after tacking , with water boiling around the rudders , I had to let the traveller out and bear away to get moving . What 's that all about ? Otherwise a good session , had a great pitpole after a gybe mark ! Any advise on 1) and 2) above much appreciated .

[Bob Carter]

Hi Derek
1a Perhaps Ed has been eating more pies than you?
1b Quite often when you start trapezing you are spending more time/concentration trying to stay on the wire than you do with the trim of the boat and the sails. It will improve with practice. Brian's point on the slot between the jib and the main is a good one. When Sporting in a moderate wind , I find I have to crack off the jib just a shade from tight to open out the slot. Do not initially try and point quite as high as a unarig boat. Make sure that you get the speed advantage then try & head up a shade as the speed builds.
2 sounds like you are forcing the rudders too quickly and straightening up too soon. Turn the rudders in a smooth motion and do not transfer your body weight until you are through the wind.
Cheers
Bob