Tactic Tip: Pre-Race Testing

By Clay Johnson

Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.  The more preparation I do before a race, the better I tend to do.  Beyond the normal shore-side preparation that is necessary for success - like making sure your boat is rigged well, washed, and tuned - there are some on-the-water tests you can do to really make sure you have a grasp of the wind and conditions.  

Each regatta is unique, and the time you have available before the start (or want to make available) might vary too.  For example, at the Olympic Trials, I would arrive at the course 45 minutes early to do some testing.  At a local beer can race, I might get to the course 5 minutes early.  So knowing how much time you want to spend on the course to do some testing and prioritizing which tests to do is important to consider.

Before an important race, I like to do the following tests:

1. Speed test.  It’s important to make sure that your speed is up and your boat is tuned well for the conditions.  I like to do this test first while the rest of the course is being laid out.  It’s important to grab someone who is equal or even a little faster than you are.  In an ideal world, I’ll do four short speed tests - one as the windward boat and one as the leeward boat on starboard and the same on port.  After that, I’ll add in a little boat-handling to make sure my maneuvers are sharp.  I also make sure to sail hard downwind back to the starting area to get a sense of what the conditions are on the downwind legs.
2. Side test.  Once the course is generally set and you know the sailing area, a side test can yield some useful information.  With a partner, you can have one boat duck the other and each of you sail all the way out to a side.  This test should be at least 4-5 minutes of sailing all the way out, then each of you tacks and comes back.  By going way out to the sides, you should be able to notice if there is any persistent shift, current advantage, or big gain to be had.  This test is also easy to add in other boats.  For example, one person can go far right, a second person can play the middle right, a third person can play the middle left, and a fourth person can go far left.  With even more boats, you can combine your speed tests and side tests and conduct both tests at once, sending two people in each direction.  (Note:  this test probably takes the longest to complete, so make sure you leave yourself enough time.)
3. Line test. Once the line is set and we’re closer to the start time, I like to have one boat start at the committee boat and one boat start at the pin.  We’ll sync our watches so that we leave at the same time.  Then we’ll sail off each end and see who crosses each other.  Absent a partner, I like to go to each end of the line and sail off as if I just started.  I’ll visualize what I think the fleet will look like above or below me and consider which side of the line looks better.
4. Line sight.  Most sailors know how to take a line sight, but few of them actually incorporate this test into their pre-race routine.  Sighting through the committee boat, through the pin, and picking a fixed point on shore gives you an easy way to know if you’re on the line.  I like to look through the pin because generally that’s the way you are looking during a race as you luff on starboard.  This isn’t always available if you’re sailing in the ocean or don’t have something in your direct line, but it can really help to avoid a major line sag!

Three out of four of these tests require help from other boats.  Forming relationships with fellow sailors is important and can lead to a cooperation that helps everyone.  It’s important to choose people who are of equal speed and have similar goals.  You also want to choose someone who is responsible and will be on the course ready to test when you agree to be.  Testing with your friend can be fun, but if they are constantly late or not as invested in the results, you will be stressed.

If working with a team, you can have different groups doing all of these tests and then compare results.  If your team does five side tests, that’s five data points to compare.  Maybe 4/5 tests resulted in the right being favored.  Maybe all tests showed that the committee boat was favored.  The more data you have, the more stock you can put into your decisions for the race.

Lastly, it’s important to know how long you like to spend testing and appropriately plan your pre-race time.  For example, if it takes me 30 minutes to do this testing, then I want to be on the course about 45 minutes early.  This gives me plenty of time to test, digest the results, talk with my coach, get some last minute food/drink, and be ready for the start.  I always regretted being to the course too early because I don’t like sitting around for extended periods of time waiting to start.  Conversely, if I showed up late, I’d have to sacrifice some of my testing to make sure I made the start on time.  Do what’s best for you.