Two boats, same speed, same start — the one that tacked more finished the beat well ahead; why didn't all that tacking slow her down?
Because the wind never sits still. When a shift swings you away from the mark, that's a header. Tack, and the same shift becomes a lift that points you toward the mark. Blue tacks on every header and always sails the lifted tack, so each leg climbs straight at the mark; Yellow holds on through the headers and sails the long way round. A tack costs a little, but a header held for a whole leg costs far more. Rule of thumb: when your bow drops and the shift looks like it will stay, tack.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/8RcVklqnhog/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Ronstan Clear Start race timer — A countdown timer made for sailing starts.
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