First, speed: Be as still as possible. Any unnecessary movement knocks the wind out of the sails. At the lower ranges use all five crew to heel the boat, but be careful that no one touches the genoa. I like to sit to leeward on a J-24 when my weight is not needed to windward, and while some young purists think Im setting keelboat racing back 50 years or so, there are several advantages: First, I have a clear view to leeward behind the genoa so I can easily see opposite tack boats. I can still see to windward. Second, I have the best possible view of the genoa so as the pressure changes close and open the leech I can immediately ask for a one or two-click ease or trim. By the same token slight headers and especially lifts are more immediately evident from the leeward seat. When I see the leeward telltales collapse (a lift), I call for a jib ease and more heel to head up to it and as the boat turns we very gently bring it back in one click at a time.

In extreme light air it takes a while to get these lumbering tubs up to speed and we have to be up to speed before the sheets come all the way in. It takes much longer to accelerate to full speed with closed leeches than with even slightly more open ones.

Strategy: In very light air the middle of the course is often slow. And unlike windier, shiftier conditions the best bet is often at the edges of the course. In more than one race the top two boats came out of opposite corners. Benefits include clear air, time to zone in on your boat speed without distraction, and you dont have to tack as much. There is also a theory, which I mostly believe, that a fleet of closely packed boats has a picket fence effect which light wind tends to rise over, leaving more surface wind around both edges.

When making a decision about which tack to be on, keep in mind that in these conditions it is more important to be in breeze than to be on the tack taking you closest to the mark.

Boat handling: Tacking with a genoa in very light air is slow, but when you gotta go you gotta go. If at all possible, try to tack in a puff. Its important to get everyone to roll the boat: heel it as much as you can to start the turn, then roll hard to windward just as the sails begin to luff. Stay there (heeling excessively on the new tack) to encourage the boat to stop turning. The trimmer has to be very gentle with the jiba hard tug will knock all the wind out of both sails. It helps if the foredeck crew frees up the offside sheet during the maneuver. Come out of the tack with the sheets eased a bit to help accelerate back to speed.

Boat handling issues were evident at leeward mark roundings too. Because the blades have no grip on the water at one knot of speed, boats that use their tiller to make the turn slide sideways more than a boat length. If everyone works to heel the boat and the main comes in slightly early while the jib comes in late the boat can actually turn right around the leeward mark and emerge with speed.

Happy holidays everyone! See you on the 8th.

DF