Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom – 04-02-06 - Will Donaldson

Well, I thought Steve was just kidding when he asked me to write the WOW, but I guess he wasn’t so I will give it a try. The thing that has probably helped my sailing the most, besides time in the boat, is doing strength training during the week. I go to the gym twice a week and lift weights. I also walk, bike, or run almost every day. This has helped me to get my head out of the boat and look around the course.

Pre-race last Sunday PJ, Larry, and I were rigging up and before we launched we took a little time to go look at the harbor and see what the breeze was doing. It looked like a beautiful day so I peeled off a layer and went with my farmer john wetsuit, rash guard, light capaline shirt, and spray top. Dressing as light as possible without freezing is key to being able to move effectively.

I thought I had good speed upwind last Sunday but was slow downwind, which is strange for me because I usually feel like I am fast downwind. Looking up the course there was a big puff on the left. After getting hosed by the incoming tide in the first race I moved up the line far enough to keep from getting tangled up with the boats trying to nail the pin end. The tide was pushing away from the line and the guys at the pin were struggling to get over the line and playing bumper boats. Only one boat can win the pin. From there I hiked as hard as I could until I reached the puff and then tacked, ending up near the port tack layline almost every time. One race I was actually a little past the layline but I just kept the boat close hauled and
moving fast while the tide was pushing me down to the mark. I was able to sneak in front of Ed and round the weather mark in first....Ed then pummeled me off the breeze. There were some major lulls and puffs on the course and shifting gears in these is critical. When the breeze died down I took the vang off and eased the cunningham, then put them right back on just before the puff hits. Downwind I made a few mistakes. I tried to just follow Ed but he was in different breeze and slightly different waves and just sailed away from me, lesson learned. I was also told post race that I wasn’t getting into the right spot on the waves and was easing my mainsheet out too much(past 90), I am going to mark it this week to keep that from happening again.

I have found that trying to follow someone else doesn't work for me, I have to just make a plan before the start and stick to it. I had to do some clearing tacks off the line a few times but I tacked back as soon as a lane opened up to the side I wanted to be on. I too am humbled by being asked to write this column and no, I wasn’t alive when Dave Gray started sailing in Newport. This is my last season as a non-master and I hope with old age comes a little more wisdom.