Page 19 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR FLEET

One method of training that is used by the Chicago
Corinthian Yacht Club Laser sailors is fleet racing.
Typically, the Laser fleet races at least once during the
week and once on the weekend. The Fleet does not
keep scores for those races but instead uses the races as
training opportunities.

The first race during the Sunday sessions determines
who the fast sailors are and who might need some help
given the conditions of the day. The race always starts
with a jibe leeward rounding with the slower boats
starting first at the starting pin. This puts the faster boats
last and in bad air. On the way to the windward mark,
however, the faster boats generally catch the slower boats
and pass them. When the lead boats round the windward
mark, all the boats turn downwind, putting the slower
boats out front once more. The races are typically 2 legs
of ¾ mile each. The finish is again a jibe leeward mark
Patrick Shanahan hiking out with
Chicago skyline beyond rounding, but this time with a tack. It is a modification of
Photo credit: Jayme Novotney October 3, 2020 pursuit style racing. As Rick Strilky, one of the captains
of the CCYC Laser fleet said, “When all the boats finish
within a few seconds of each other, it is very exciting.”
The benefits of this style of racing is multifold. First,
racing without scoring builds community. There is no
public shaming of back-fleet sailors on bulletin boards
or web sites. There is also a compression of time in this
training process as the fleet does not have to wait for the
slower boats to finish, allowing for more racing and less
down time. It’s also a more challenging experience for the
faster boats. They have to pass all of the other boats twice
to win! The main objective is for the more experienced
sailors to sail in the same water as the newer sailors and
coach them as they pass them. These communications
allow the slower sailors to step up their game while
creating a community spirit among the fleet. Examples of
this coaching could be suggestions on trim, body position,
angle to the wind, and helming techniques. Finally, with
the fixed marks, the training is accomplished without any
Race Committee assistance.

The only season acknowledgement for the CCYC Lasers
are in the category of most improved. Nineteen Lasers
CCYC Laser Clinic chalk talk and briefing registered for the first CCYC Fall Frostbite in 2020.
Photo credit: Kate Moon August 29, 2020

2020 yachting in chicago 19