4

Boat accelerates forward out of tack with wind hitting sails; occupants keep boat balanced by sitting on opposite sides

Heading into the wind

Tacking is one of two techniques competitors use to turn their boats around buoys to follow the racing course. The maneuvers help teams stay in clear air air that is not influenced by another boat. Wind direction

SAILING

Tacking
Bow (front) of boat is turned into the wind

3
As boat changes direction, team moves to opposite side, pulling boat and sails upright into the wind to increase wind speed over them Type of boat shown is a dinghy Crew 1 member tilts boat to leeward (into wind), increasing boat speed

2 Team leans to
Sails

Buoy

rock boat hard to the opposite, windward (with wind) side; must minimize amount of time boat faces wind or it stalls Tack here

Navigation buoy

Wind

Example course

Start Finish

Source: The New Complete Sailing Manual, Racing Basics

2012 MCT

SAILING

Jibing is one of two techniques competitors use to turn their boats around buoys to follow the racing course. The maneuvers help teams stay in clear air air that is not influenced by another boat.

Wind at your back

4 Occupants sit where necessary to

balance boat for forward momentum

3 Team changes sides to keep

boat upright; boom swings opposite to catch wind again as boat accelerates in new direction

Jibing
Turning with wind at the boats stern (back); more difficult, can cause capsizing

Team lowers the centerboard fully, steers boat to windward (with wind) side

Mainsail Buoy

Wind direction Type of boat shown is a dinghy

Boom

2 Crew tilts boat farther windward, holds it tilted until the mainsail fills with air

Example course
Wind Centerboard Jibe here

Navigation buoy

Rudder
Source: The New Complete Sailing Manual, Racing Basics 2012 MCT

Start Finish