Winning Upwind Tactics with Roble / Shea Sailing

Upwind Tactics: How good are your upwind tactics? Do you have a thought process to help make the right decisions? How well do you deal with trouble spots, such as approaching a pack of boats, or setting up for the windward mark? Have you tried tactical moding? In ILYA Fast Forward Seminar #4, here’s a chance to peek into the minds of Olympic qualifiers Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea. As part of the Fast Forward series, Steph and Maggie share many tactical insights that go beyond the advice most of us have learned.

A more thorough debrief of the content is available at SailZing.com or watch the full video here. Use the timings in the video description to go directly to the topics that interest you or read a summary of the key insights below.

The Fast Forward series is a partnership between the ILYA and SailZing.com featuring Roble/Shea Sailing and other top sailors. The videos are edited recordings of live webinars conducted in spring 2020.

OUTLINE AND VIDEO TIMINGS - Upwind Tactics

Developing your game plan - Dave Ullman chart (00:02:20)
Tactical intelligence – from John Bertrand (00:03:14)
Make predictions and test them
The ongoing narrative
Rules of thumb
Assessments (00:08:13)
Ladder rungs – know who you are racing
Gains in headers and lifts
Boat speed assessment questions
Visualizing gains and losses
Walking through a race
Where to start in a pack (00:22:06)
Bail out options
Lane management
Three upwind modes
Tactical moding
Leverage and consolidation
Covering and the coverage zone
Cross, tack, or duck?
Q & A (00:59:13)
Where to tack on a pack – leading back and edging out
Left and right corner plays near the layline - Tim Wadlow’s ratings
Using a blocker
Q & A (01:21:48)
Layline dangers
Windward mark arrival
Layline Games
Upwind rules (01:30:19)
Five refresher scenarios – crossing, tacking ahead, mark room
Tactical applications of the windward mark rules

MORE INFORMATION - Upwind Tactics

Ducking: Decide and Execute - https://sailzing.me/1bq
Ladder Rungs: Understand the Race Course with a Visual Approach - https://sailzing.me/lwy
Velocity Made Good (VMG) – Definition and Application - https://sailzing.me/ovd
Keeping Your Lead, Part 2: Covering Tactics on the Beat - https://sailzing.me/hgg
Upwind Strategy and Tactics – Sail in Clear Air - https://sailzing.me/e3n

ABOUT THIS SERIES

The ILYA, Roble/Shea Sailing, and SailZing.com are partnering to develop a series of videos for youth sailors with insights from US Olympic Sailing Team & ILYA members, Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea. The videos are edited recordings of live webinars conducted in spring 2020.

ROBLE-SHEA SAILING

Keep up with Steph and Maggie’s campaign and consider donating.
Roble-Shea Sailing - https://www.roblesheasailing.com/
ILYA foundation – donate here or directly at Roble-Shea website - https://ilya.org/

Visit SAILZING.com for much more content to help you to sail faster and smarter.
Stimulating Learning for Sailors. https://SailZing.com

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