| 37. Finn Racing Maxims |
by Larry Lemieux (LL), Richard Lott (RL), Simon Stonehouse (SS), Philippe Rogge (PR), Paul Elvstrom (PE), Darrell Peck (DP), Richard Stenhouse (RS), Iain Percy (IP), Sebastien Godefroid (SG), Wolfgang Mayrhofer (WM), Robert Deaves (RD), Oleg Khoperski (OK), Valentin Mankin (VM), Gus Miller (GM) and from FINNFARE (FF) |
|
Starting
You don't have to win the start to have a good one, you only have to be able to do what you want. LL
If the tide is pushing you over the line, the pin end on starboard is not the place to plan to start. Go late for the boat end (if there's not too much line bias). There should be a decent gap there created by the boats pushed down by the tide. RL
As a Finn has a relatively large rudder the boat can be held on the line in the correct position by rapid movements of the tiller. Practice by staying as close to a marker buoy as possible, for as long as possible. SS
|
Don't be over afraid of being early or you'll never start well. RD
If you are late for the start, the rule is not to get too nervous but go on racing in the usual style. VM
Buy a stopwatch with small buttons on the side. It may be harder to start when the ten minute gun goes but you won't turn it off accidentally when you're bending your wrist whilst steering in the pre-start. RL
|
 |
|
Always try to ensure that you keep a gap to leeward, this will allow you to bear away and pick up speed a few seconds before the gun. SS
Get it moving early. DP
Clear air after the start is 40% of your race! PR
Get a transit, choose the biased end and go. RS |
|
Beating
When in marginal conditions (comfortable hiking but not over-powered) bear away slightly to pick up speed, then slowly bring the boat back up to close hauled course until the speed begins to drop, then repeat. This can be a very effective method of increasing VMG to windward, particularly in choppier conditions, but be warned you have to hike hard to make it pay. SS
Sail it flat. DP
The faster you go in the wrong direction the farther behind you'll be. LL |
|
Make sure you learn from the previous beats. PR
Due to inefficient foil shape of the centreboard and the oversized rudder, it is usually recommended to sail with about 5° of weather helm. Having the tiller slightly angled to windward helps the rudder to generate lift to windward, improving the overall VMG. Be careful not to overdo the weather helm, which will create too much drag and although lift generated will be high overall VMG will be poor. As with much in sailing getting the right balance is crucial. SS
If you are able to walk up the beach after a windy race, you haven't worked hard enough! RL
Take the shortest route and hike hard. RS
Read Stuart Walker's (ancient 14 sailor) old book on racing. There is an excellent explanation of shift mastering. RL
Reaching
If you decide to go low, go low. Don't try to slowly fade away, you won't get clear air. PR
It's better maintain a fast average speed rather than flying down a wave only to stop at the bottom and have to waste time getting back up to surfing speed. Get off the wave before you loose it. LL
In surfing conditions, but not planing, the emphasis is on pumping. This is the most physically demanding aspect of Finn sailing. Pumping should be a combination of large pumps, using the back and arm, and shorter 'jerky' type pumps using only the arm. IP |
Luffers and staffers - not generally found at the front of a fleet as most sailors there have learnt that trying to luff over a boat who is sailed by a sailor of similar ability and speed, is pointless. At best you might pass one or two boats but half the fleet will have sailed underneath you. If you really want to pass a boat in front, follow on their transom but do not luff. If they make a mistake then that's your chance to luff over the top of them, if they never make a mistake then you might just sneak water at the next mark. SS
Concentrate on good trim and balance and always have the sail well trimmed. RS
The secret of fast reaching is balance. Don't pump really hard and then let the boat fall over on top of you. It is imperative to keep the power in the sail all the time. FF
|
|
|
Go down in the gusts and up in the lulls. The people who constantly seem to be able to sail lower and faster than you on a broad reach are surely using this technique. Also use the waves to get down. FF
Downwind
The best preparation you can possibly have for downwind sailing in strong winds is to go out in heavy weather and sail a lot. Do everything. Fool with your vang. Experiment with your position on the deck. And finally, gybe, gybe, gybe. Even capsize and practice righting your boat for time. This will be tough and you will then see why getting into shape is also good preparation. The key is to get so you are comfortable with the boat and the conditions as you are screaming downwind in a race. FF |
|
Because you are unable to pump in light winds, being smooth around the boat is most important factor. Sail trim should concentrate on keeping the leeward tell tale flying. IP
Never go straight down, Either sail by the lee or broad reach to keep the speed up. RS
Learn to run by the lee. RL
In any breeze sail large angles to avoid hitting the wave in front, sometimes heading up the wave when speed is needed and also diving down the wave when you are too high. IP
|
|
Good downwind speed can turn a throwout into a keeper. It is essential. LL
Your run ends two lengths from the mark, not ten. PR
When running in strong winds, think of it as an escalator of waves. The only way to jump to the next step is to surf along the wave, either up or down looking for a break to jump through. It is not a problem to sail off-course as once on a wave you can sail to the right or left without falling off and therefore without losing distance. IP
Keep a careful watch on the boats behind to ensure they are not stealing your wind, if they are head up or gybe off until you can find clear air. SS
Remember that the hook in the leach of a deep Finn sail is much more than that in a Laser sail. It's therefore much more difficult to get a reversing of the flow on the sail. RL
Downwind is like slow dancing with a gorgeous woman - just let yourself go but stay in control. SG
All the good guys know when to use their rocking skills. Just when you need to make/break the overlap at the mark. RL
Steer a lot (be afraid). DP |
|
|
