Doublehand Truths and Near Truths

Sail your own race.

Sailing near other boats is slow.

Avoid crowds at the start unless you are controlling them.

Find and keep a clear lane.

Front line starts and speed off the line wins races.

Point rather than foot in a Lido, unless you are footing to accelerate or to clear your air.

Foot, plane and then point in a V-15.

Keep the boat flat to weather in all but light air.

In flat water, steer with the rudder as little as possible to minimize drag.

In rough water, steer aggressively around large waves to avoid pounding and slowing.

In really large waves, spend as much time as possible going downhill.

In slow boats, sail the shortest distances on leeward legs and keep the jib flying.

On runs in fast boats, like the V-15, repeatedly reach to plane and then bear off.

Heel to weather on light air runs to project area, minimize drag and neutralize helm.

Sail your own race.  Leave the match racing for later in the regatta.

Wear a hat, it's hard to be brilliant when your brain is frozen!

Start on time, going fast and with a lane of clear air.

Don't take risks unless you've been left for dead.  Leave the mistakes to others.

The regatta goes to the steady, not the spectacular.

Don't worry about winning the cross, duck if you must, but do win the favored side.

Avoid laylines early. Really, I mean it!

Avoid the margins of the course unless there is favorable wind or current.

Anticipate the shifts and sail the inside.

Sail the long or lifted tack first.

Floss daily.

Stay close to the start area between races, especially in light air.

You must know the course.  Do not rely on others.  They may all be wrong.

Check your boat when rotating in. Make sure everything is in order and squared away.

Don't worry when you are behind.  There will be no breakaways.  Lidos have one gear.

In fast boats, like the V-15, when you are behind, don't worry, but start praying!

Avoid the outside at mark roundings, unless there is a massive pileup, then, go for it!

Always round tactically when the situation allows, always!

Marks are your best friend.  There are more places to be gained in a smaller area.

Check the flatness of your wake and your competitors, to trim your boat fore and aft.

Sit close together; shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip, especially in waves.

Sit well forward in light going, but don't press the bow down when the wind is up.

Speed kills!  If they can't catch you, they can't beat you.

Have a pre-race plan.  Avoid double tacks, being herded and sailing in a reactive mode.

Sail your own race.  Avoid confrontations that result in protests.

Sail friendly! Your competitors will be happy when you do well.

Find the joy in sailing to the best of your ability and seek to improve in each race.

If you won every race, there would be no reason to line up for the start.

Sail the race successfully in your mind, then go out, have fun and make it happen.

Listen to your Mother!