So I keep a record of all the races I do in the 300. Writing down and reflecting on performance gives a 'to-do list' for training, and gives focus on what is important. I would say that I'm about 30%-40% up the learning curve for 300, but not yet at a point where training is yielding diminishing return. I can understand that the content of these logs will be of limited interest to many, so ignore if you find it boring!
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Date: 29th September
Venue : ESSC
Race : 3 race series, each race approx 30 minutes.
Conditions: F3-5 W, very patchy, lots of big shifts
Tide : 1 hour after first start, lots of tide on the line, which together with the variable wind made for interesting starts (the first of which needed fenders)
Result : 3rd overall of 24 boats
Positives:
- Three good starts, found a lane off the line and kept it despite being surrounded by faster boats.
- Reasonable (but not exceptional) upwind speed, continual tuning of the rig and it seemed to work.
- Reasonable (but not exceptional) downwind speed. The Borland tips on vang and boom angle have certainly helped with stability.
- Tactically pretty good races, although the route to the windward mark was determined by tide.
- Gybing practice has really helped. Never felt close to dumping on a gybe, all very controlled and straightforward.
Points for reflection:
- 2x capsizes over the day.
Capsize #1: Sandwiched between two starboard boats on port - Dave and Ed in the ISO, Johnny and Barbara in their Merlin. Left it too late to sail over Dave's transom and boom touched water capsizing to leeward. Next time: take action earlier, I knew it was going to be a problem when the ISO was 100m away.
Capsize #2: Rounding the windward mark with the Merlin and a 400 just inside, my thought was to sail over both whilst they were sorting their kites. Decided that full power was needed, and tried to bear away whilst simultaneously dumping vang - big mistake, loaded up the rig and capsized to leeward. Very greedy. Next time: separate rig from the maneuver (interestingly the Finn sailors all seemed to do just that at the Olympics, they would round the mark, set direction and then tweak for a few seconds).
- Hiking fitness
In the first race, I was able to really work the boat through chop upwind, and it helps. By race 3 I was done in. Maybe time to start running again!
- Mental approach
Not the best frame of mind on the way to the start line. Why? Even now, I don't feel good about those races despite coming 3rd (and weighing 70kg in a hiking boat with 10m2 of sail!). Specifically the problem relates to downwind sailing, so some work to be done. Feels very similar to learning to sail a windsurfer in f6+. But I got there and will deal with this at some point! The trick is to try and move from an emotional response to one of objectivity and a plan to fix.
Points to work on:
- More time thinking outside the boat with earlier decision making.
- Trying not to be greedy on places!
- I wonder whether a revitalised fitness campaign is required. Trouble is I'll probably lose a couple of kgs, and thats no good!
- Get more strong wind practice in, maybe at the expense of racing.
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Date: 30th September
Venue : ESSC
Race : Browning 2, handicap race of 50 minutes
Conditions: F5-6 SW, very patchy at the top of the channel.
Tide : 45 hour after start
Result : 6th of 20 boats
Positives:
- Good speed upwind. First time I have truly cranked on the downhaul to the max (I'm talking windsurf type downhaul tensions), the top of the sail fell to leeward and the power was concentrated well down. Sail looked more like a windsurfing sail than a dinghy. Was concerned about stalling on tacks, but didn't seem to be a problem (water was flatish, maybe that was it). Either way, speed was comparable to the 400s upwind, very pleasing.
- Pointing was good, despite a positive decision not to point! The flatter sail seems to prefer not being sheeted too hard, I thought this would impact pointing, but it didn't.
- Nailed the gybes, two of which in 20+ knot puffs.
- On the way from Tye to the line, tried much bigger angles sailing downwind - either broad reaching (being able to sit on the sidedeck), or completely by the lee. Felt much more stable. Be interested to see if VMG is maintained, probably needs a bit of two boat work with Dave.
- Learnt a bit more about tuning for a reach. I wonder whether extreme downhaul could be useful on the reach as well as upwind, getting the centre of effort lower seems to calm everything down but keep speed.
- Felt generally more positive about the race, despite the worse position! How does that work?
Points for reflection:
- 2x capsizes, but both very short (30 seconds, I'm well practiced by now). Both seemed to be on a point of sail between a broad reach and a dead run, despite sailing with slightly more kicker and a closer sheeting angle. My theory is that there is a 15 degree window that is an inherently unstable point of sail, and I'm better off avoiding it with wider angles. Maybe time to canvass the 300 yahoo group.
- The toestraps need another revisit - it makes a huge difference on tacking, and offwind.
- After the leg from Walsh to Shepherd I was truly exhausted, largely due to the amount of sheeting to keep the boat on its feet. No dicey moments, but a lot of work.
Points to work on:
- Speak with Dave and sort out some 'downwind in a blow' sessions. Very interested to see if the use of big angles sacrifices VMG.
- Sort toestraps, they need to stand up.
- More tuning for reaches, esp on the downhaul in breeze.
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