Introduction to Sailboat Racing

The Introduction to Racing course  will expose students to sailboat racing in the Puget Sound region.  The course is comprised of two in-class sessions which will be held on Tuesday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 30 from 6:30-9:00pm at the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center.  Students then will have the opportunity to participate in one on-the-water race sometime in June and/or July.  

This course will be taught by Carl Harrington, s/v Sporting Jenny, S2 Yachts 9.1 Meter, Charles Hendrick, s/v Blue Max, Aphrodite 101 and Sara Schroeder, s/v Wandering Star, Catalina 320.  

The course will give you the opportunity to:

• Build on the skills learned in the Mountaineers Basic Crewing/Sailing Course.
• Learn about three sails typically used in sailboat racing: Main, Jib/Genoa, and Spinnaker.
• Learn about the Racing Rules of Sailing, and how they apply during a race.
• Sail more efficiently, sail safer, experience a sailboat competition.
• Have a more in-depth understanding of sail trim and boat speed.
• Gain a basic understanding of upwind sailing, downwind sailing, and downwind sails when in a competition.
• Understand basic personal gear requirements and safety practices encountered during races held in the Puget Sound area.
• Have a basic understanding of racing tactics and strategy, and how to apply them during a race
• Have a basic understanding of the anatomy of a sailboat race, from prestart to finish.
• Learn what needs to be done at mark roundings: before, during, and after.