You are leading downwind and the boat behind is catching you. Do I hold my course, or move out of her wind shadow?
Move, early. Running, your wind comes from behind, so the boat directly upwind of you leaves a wind shadow straight down the course. Sit in it and she closes length by length. Head up a little, get a length or more sideways into clean wind, and you pull away: about two and a half lengths from one small move. Does heading up cost extra distance? A little, but far less than sitting in her shadow. Move before she is close, and when you gybe back towards the mark, don't sail straight back into her line. No racing rule is involved: both boats keep clear of each other throughout.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/T_rkhSQcIT0/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
- Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.
- Five Oceans masthead wind indicator — See the wind direction at a glance.
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