Sticky situation at the bottom mark?

The first real question in our 'Ask Paul' feature comes from Paul Fox, who wanted a run-down on the leeward marks in asymmetric boats - Paul Brotherton provides it

Q: With asymmetric boats we often approach the leeward mark with a big difference in the angles. A recap of the rules and tactics for big fleets would be useful.

A: There are many points in a sailboat race where mistakes can be made and you lose a few boat lengths, but the loss has minimal impact on your overall position. But there are a couple of moments where every centimetre is vital and tiny gains and losses are multiplied many times.

The start is obviously one of those points and the windward mark is another - but the defining moment for most competitive races in asymmetric boats is the exit from the first leeward mark. If you are leading at this point, then it is likely that you will be able to extend from the majority of the pack. If you exit the leeward mark behind or with the pack, then you are left in a nasty situation - very confused sea and wind, nowhere to go and the sight of your competitors leaning on plenty of breeze and sailing fast. It hurts just thinking about it!

Clearly there are many things that will contribute to this leeward mark exit. But it's the final approach that is the biggest factor. The plan should be to allow you to keep sailing the angles that promote the best VMG, with the ultimate aim of exiting the leeward mark with speed, on the inside, on a close-hauled course. If you don't make this happen, then you're tottering on the edge of the death zone - to leeward of the fleet in no wind, with very few options. On the approach, the worst mistake is to start bearing away and pointing at the mark too early. This makes the boat slow, hard to handle and unresponsive.

It's also important to remember that the wide sailing angles at which asymmetric boats approach marks, means that boats on the opposite gybe can be physically some distance behind, and still be overlapped. Remember that to be overlapped you have to be in front of a line drawn at right angles to the centre-line, from the aft most point of the other boat. Given the dramatic way that asymmetric boats slow once the spinnaker is pulled down, this is a recipe for late overlap calls and interesting tactical situations. Let's look at some standard approaches that will help you do the right thing.

I will assume that we have a leeward gate - two leeward marks and you can choose which one to round - and that the gate is even i.e. one mark is not further upwind than the other. Then I would prefer to approach the left-hand mark (looking downwind) on starboard gybe, on the layline for the two boat length zone. That way I will gybe inside the two length zone, so there is no chance for anyone to be inside me at the mark, and I've got very little chance of infringing anyone.

In strong winds you will need a variation on this move, because you'll have to do the gybe and spinnaker drop outside the two length zone to have enough time to get the kite down. This opens the door to a competitor to get inside. If there's no competitor in a position to get inside, you don't need to worry and can drop the kite a safe distance from the mark.

But if there are other boats around, then it might pay to come in on starboard on the layline for the two length zone, dropping the kite on starboard as late as you dare, to gain an overlap on all those boats that have gybed earlier onto port. This still leaves you with a low speed two-sail gybe in a breeze - and this is definitely something you should have practiced first!

If those are the best ways to go around the left-hand leeward mark, then the worst approach is the opposite - going slowly on port. Then you are over the layline, with boats coming in on starboard who will gybe and round inside, leaving you in the death zone.

Now let's consider for a moment what to do if, for a tactical reason, you wanted the right-hand mark (still looking downwind). In this case, coming in on port gybe just inside the two length zone is the good option, as this gives you the best chance of being the inside boat. If the starboard boat drops early and is slow, he can be sitting there like a dead duck, forced to give room to port gybe boats coming up fast on the layline for the two length zone.

The key to avoiding problems is to plan ahead, ask yourself these questions in plenty of time before the mark:

1 Who are we attacking and who are we defending against?
If you're defending against a group of boats just behind you, then go for a safe approach and kite drop. Or if you're safe from the boats behind and have the opportunity to attack the guys in front, then it is worth being more punchy with a more aggressive strategy.

2 Which side of the course will be the most congested?
When you've figured it out, try and develop a strategy for going the other way and getting clear air quickly.

3 How far from the mark do I need to make a decision about which mark I will round?
It's important to understand the limitations on decision making set by your own boat handling - know what you can't do.

4 How will I approach the mark so we maintain optimum speed and angle?
You must constantly assess the approach to see what route and strategy will give you the clearest air and the best speed and angle.

Finally, you won't go far wrong if you do the following:

Practice all your approaches in training, otherwise your boathandling will always let you down. Remember that you cannot improve your skills and drills during a race - only perform to your current best, so train hard!

Practice late calls and decision changes, they will happen so it's best to get your team used to them.

Be positive and firm about where you are going and who you are overlapping, and remind those who have no overlap on you.

If in doubt, keep it clean and simple.

This is a vital part of the race. One centimetre could make or break an overlap and as such leeward mark roundings should be one of the skills you practice regularly. The best kit and rig settings in the world will not make you fast if you are sat with the sails turning inside out, while the inside boats power off up the track!