Palma Venue Guide

Get the insider's guide to this stunning Spanish racing venue from top coach Jim Saltonstall

WESTERN END

Wind Direction - 000 When the wind comes from the north, it is very shifty under the high ground area as you would expect, more so as you approach the windward mark area, less so in the start/leeward mark area, knowing what is the lifting tack out of the start area is critical, so you can get in phase with the shifts up the beat. Don't get to the laylines too soon, use the shifts more up the middle towards the apex of the beat. I have seen a boat bang a corner here, come out smelling of roses, do the same on the second beat and been down the tube and around the 'S' bend!

Wind Direction - 045 When the wind is in the north-east, we have seen more pressure on the port side of the course with lifts on port tack near the shore as the wind tries to leave it at a right angle.

Wind Direction - 090 More pressure on the left due to the convergence area along the shore, with shifts, again be careful not to over stand the windward mark.

Wind Direction - 120/180 Fuller sails with twist to get through the waves. The wind is now more stable in both direction and velocity, as it is open to the south/south-east, when in the western half of the bay.

Wind Direction - 220 When in the south-west there is now a divergence area along the shore offering less pressure in wind velocity, normally pays to be middle, or left of middle on the track for more wind, look out for the wind veering late afternoon as it tends to follow the sun.

Wind Direction - 270 Less pressure on the right again but depending on how close to the land the starboard lay line is, look for lifts on starboard tack close to the land.

Wind Direction - 330 NW wind = shifty & gusty, so look for the wind on the water, use the shifts more up the middle of the track, be conservative for a respectable result as opposed to taking a flyer! We have seen some good lifts on the starboard layline up the beat, as well as on the port if the windward mark is close to the shore, say, within half a mile.

Go to page 3 for into on the eastern end of the bay...