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Sebastian Vettel will be co-owner of the new German SailGP team alongside Thomas Riedel, with 49er medallist Erik Heil at the helm Four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and double Olympic sailing bronze medallist Erik Heil have joined forces, alongside team owner Thomas Riedel, to announce a brand new German SailGP Team. Germany will be the latest nation to contest the global racing league, which kicks off its fourth season on June 16-17 with the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago. Sebastian Vettel’s involvement will be alongside entrepreneur and investor Riedel – president of the leading communications company that bears his name – with whom Vettel is a recent co-investor. That might sound like the pair are merely the money men, but in a release by SailGP on behalf of the team they state that Vettel and Riedel will both be taking an active role in the management and performance of the team. Heil, who won Olympic bronze medals at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will drive the cutting-edge, hydrofoiling Germany F50. The new Germany SailGP Team was unveiled during SPOBIS 2023 in Düsseldorf, where the team introduced itself and presented its ambitions for the upcoming season. Heil said: “Today is a really exciting step in the team’s journey and we have pulled together an amazing team. But we are under no illusions that it will be easy and other world-class teams have paid a lesson when they entered SailGP. We will have to work our way up. That’s the goal. However, SailGP comprises the best athletes in our sport and personally I can’t wait to get racing.” In addition to Heil, female German-Brazilian double Olympic champion from Rio and Tokyo, Kahena Kunze was also announced as the team’s strategist. The full line-up will be announced next month. Skipper Nathan Outteridge gets the Japan SailGP Team airborne in Cadiz, Spain, in October 2021. Photo: Felix Diemer/SailGP Riedel is no stranger to SailGP, as his communications company provides the entire on-site wireless communications and TV production infrastructure for the league as a technology supplier. The wireless network connects, among other things, the participants’ F50s, support

The annual Watersports Participation Survey has shown watersports participation is still rising after a pandemic boom saw UK participation rise dramatically The increase in people participating in watersports in the UK during the Covid 19 pandemic – when restrictions on international travel reduced overseas holiday options – continued to build in 2022 despite those restrictions largely lifting according to a report by British Marine. The Watersports Participation Survey 2022 has revealed, some 13.2 million UK adults tried a boating activity in 2022, up 3 per cent from 12.8 million in 2021. Over 10 million people took part in one or more boating activities once or twice in 2022, while the number of people taking part more frequently in on-water activities (at least three times) remained similar to the previous year, at 3.2 million. The Watersports Participation Survey is conducted annually by a consortium of leading marine bodies, including British Marine, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), British Canoeing (BC) Canal and River Trust and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). Anyone who has spent any time on or near the water in the last few years will not be surprised that the biggest growth areas are coastal and inland paddle sports such as stand up paddle boarding and kayaking / sea kayaking.  “Paddle sport activities, particularly stand up paddleboarding, which are easily accessible both on the coast and inland waterways, have remained extremely popular with participation figures continuing to rise,” said Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine. Article continues below… Best paddle board: Top SUPs for beginners and seasoned experts Given its huge surge in popularity over recent years, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) will need little introduction to anyone that… Best Inflatable Kayak and Canoe 2023: Find The Model For You I love my inflatable yacht tender, I use it a lot to get about in. But nothing quite matches the… Although the report is generally positive, this popularity in the paddle sports does raise some small concerns. Firstly that the figures do continue to show a clear trend towards more infrequent, experiential participation rather than regular participation, which is

Xucia is Mini 6.50 #1081, a radical Sam Manuad foiling mini and hydrofoiling iteration of the popular single-handed class. Rupert Holmes looks at the accelerating pace of change in the Mini 6.50s The past few years have seen an explosion of activity in the Mini 6.50 class, with qualifying races for the iconic Mini Transat race oversubscribed by up to 100% and two-year waiting lists for new Series-built boats. Yet the front of the fleet is no longer an economic place to go racing. Typical fully equipped prices for new Series builds are around €150,000, while the bill for new one-off Protos is well over double that figure, reflecting the costs of full carbon one-off boats that incorporate build knowledge gained from America’s Cup campaigns, plus in some cases the enormous cost of foils. Innovation hotbed Historically the class has been a hotbed of innovation. It’s here that twin rudder designs and canting keels were first refined and proven to be reliable, even if some of the latter initially had problems when scaled up to much larger yachts. However, for the past few years almost all new development has been in the lower-powered Series fleet, where scow bows have been the norm for several years. In contrast to the IMOCA 60 fleet, foiling designs have so far been slow to take off, but that’s changing rapidly. This year sees nine new Proto boats set to be launched, many of which push the boundaries of yacht design. Carlos Manera’s Xucia is designed to be a low-riding foiler with the transom just maintaining contact with the water. Photo: James Tomlinson Unlike foiling IMOCA 60s, Minis are allowed T-foils on their rudders, which opens up the prospect for a full flying boat. This was the approach taken by the early foiling Minis, including Seair’s David Raison-designed #747 in 2017 – the first-ever flying offshore monohull – and the Verdier-designed Pogo Foiler that launched in 2019. When I visited Lorient-based Seair back in 2018 development engineer Hugo Feydit told me they were seeing speed advantages of up to 30% compared to the Archimedes Protos of the time. This boat was originally intended as a

If you are new to the sport and can be hard to work out exactly what to wear dinghy sailing, so here’s our guide to the kit you might want to consider to get you started If you want to make a start in sailing then often a dinghy will be your first port of call for learning – and thereafter many choose to keep dinghy sailing whether in a racing capacity, dinghy cruising, or just for the pleasure of being out on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a beginner setting foot in a dinghy for the first time, understanding what to wear dinghy sailing is essential for both comfort and safety. Proper attire not only protects you from the elements but also enhances your performance and ensures an enjoyable experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of dinghy sailing attire, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your wardrobe choices for the next exhilarating voyage. Not all sailing is the same and there is a difference between the clothes that are most suitable for dinghy sailing and what to wear sailing on a yacht, although some kit will enable you to do both, typically dinghy kit is designed for a much wetter environment. Dressing for the Conditions When it comes to dinghy sailing, the ever-changing weather conditions can be both exhilarating and challenging. As such, it is crucial to dress appropriately. Layering is key, as it allows you to adjust your clothing according to the temperature and wind conditions. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep your skin dry, followed by insulating mid-layers to retain body heat. On top, choose a windproof and waterproof outer layer to shield yourself from splashes, rain, and spray. Safety Considerations While sailing can be an exhilarating experience, safety should always remain a top priority. Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or a life jacket is non-negotiable, though more often than not, dinghy sailors will wear a bouyancy aid, which will not flip your body over if you are face down, nor support your head as they usually do not have a collar.

Sian Lewis picks out the best snorkelling set for underwater explorers… Explore the wonders of the ocean for longer with a good mask and snorkel – who knows what creatures of the deep you might spot? While you can have a quick glance below the waves with a pair of swimming goggles on, a wide snorkelling mask will offer you better vision, while the snorkel keeps you breathing freely and a pair of fins helps to propel you further through the water. A decent snorkelling set should be in any explorer’s backpack. A snorkelling mask is a good investment even if you only use it once a twice a year on holiday, as snorkelling kit can be expensive to rent and you’ll be able to get a better fit when buying your own mask rather than borrowing one. Many masks are sold in sets that include a snorkel tube and fins, which means you’re all set up to snorkel whenever you like. Avoid the cheapest snorkelling sets bought in supermarkets, which aren’t likely to be leak or shatterproof, and invest in a good quality model, like one of the five we’ve tested and recommended below. The mask is the most important bit to get right – you need to pick a comfortable, leak-free mask that forms a seal around your eyes and nose, that doesn’t fog up and that offers a wide field of vision. Most mid-range adult snorkel masks are one size, but if you have a smaller or wider face you’ll find differently sized or adjustable masks available. And if you usually wear glasses, prescription masks designed to correct your eyesight will help you see clearly. There are more designs on the market than you might think, including models aimed at recreational snorkellers, free divers and spear fishers – but we’ve explained exactly what to choose in our buyer’s guide below. Once you own well-fitting mask, look after it by rinsing in clean water after use, leaving to air dry and keeping it out of the sun. Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This

Rupert Holmes reports on latest developments in wooden yacht construction, and why this ancient material is being used for hi-tech contemporary design Why would a naval architect and structural engineer used to working with cutting edge materials for America’s Cup teams, including INEOS Britannia, and companies like Airbus, be excited about working with wood? “It’s quite simple for me,” says French designer Thomas Tison, “Modernity does not neglect where we all come from – on the contrary it makes the best of it. In a way a boat is a heritage, so to ignore wood would be to ignore the essence of yacht design and building. “Carbon fibre is only an evolution from this heritage and reinstating wood as a modern material increases the number of options a naval architect has for creation and performance.” Tison designed the stunning, contemporary 48ft offshore racer Elida which launched last year, and currently has a timber/epoxy 40ft high-end daysailer on the drawing board. To optimise Elida’s weight and stiffness Tison tested three different timber and glue laminates at an Airbus facility. “What we found was very interesting,” he told me. “The existing data was 20 years old, but now we can carefully select the glue and timber, so the figures for our laminates were stiffer than predicted, with the sitka spruce an order of magnitude better than expected.” Elida is built of diagonally planked sitka spruce covered with a 3mm mahogany veneer. Additional internal stiffening is provided by local layers of 200g carbon fibre. The result is a very stiff structure – projected forestay loads match those used on TP52s, yet the total weight of the 48ft hull shell is only 1,000kg. Tison’s next project is a very high end 40ft daysailer. Construction will be an evolution of Elida’s, giving a strong and stiff structure that meets Category A requirements, yet total displacement is only 3,700kg. He also has a concept under way for a 45m superyacht built in a similar manner. Outlier is a cold-molded custom 55-footer designed by Botin. Photo: Billy Black Traditional skillset The enthusiasm naval architects young and old have for wood/epoxy composite construction is striking. Many of today’s

Two separate Man Overboard incidents have occurred during different cross-Channel races this weekend, one fatality confirmed and the second search stood down Two separate Man Overboard incidents have occurred during different cross-Channel races this weekend, with one fatality confirmed. The first incident took place during the Royal Escape Race, which set off from Brighton to Fécamp, in Normandy on Friday 26 May. The yachtsman is reported to have fallen overboard around 1400 hours, some six hours into the 66-mile race across the English Channel. A French search and rescue helicopter and lifeboat were dispatched to the scene. French media have reported that a fishing vessel also diverted to the area and was first to recover the casualty, who was then airlifted to hospital in Le Havre. Tragically the sailor was later confirmed dead. He is reported to have been  from the Greater Manchester area. The yacht was taken under tow to Fécamp. In an unrelated incident, a second man overboard was reported from a yacht competing in the JOG (Junior Offshore Group) cross-Channel race from Cowes to Deauville, also in Normandy, on the same day. The sailor was believed to have gone overboard at approximately 2130 on Friday 26 May. A Mayday was issued and multiple French search and rescue vessels, plus two helicopters, were reported to have rapidly arrived on scene. They were joined in the search by fellow competitor yachts. It’s understood the search was resumed by helicopter at daybreak on the morning of Saturday 27 May but was later suspended and has now been stood down. The yacht has been taken to Le Havre. The incident involved a 68-year-old man from the Isle of Wight. Conditions in the Channel this weekend saw winds gusting 30 knots from the north-east and 3-4m waves that were beam-on for much of the crossing for yachts racing in a south-easterly direction. Official statements Both organising clubs issued statements following the incidents. Sussex Yacht Club, host of the Royal Escape Race, said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our fellow sailors yesterday. “We are working with police, maritime and coastguard agencies and the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau to assist

Kevin Escoffier’s IMOCA team Holcim-PRB has smashed the 24-hour monohull sailing record by covering an incredible 640.9 miles in the transatlantic leg of The Ocean Race The Ocean Race 2022-23 – 26 May 2023, Leg 5 Day 4 onboard Team Holcim – PRB, at full speed during the 24 hours record. Kevin Escoffier’s IMOCA Holcim-PRB, competing in the The Ocean Race, has annihilated the 24-hour monohull sailing record by covering an incredible 640.9 miles on the fifth leg from Newport to Aarhus. This breaks both the pre-existing race, IMOCA and outright monohull records. In March this year Holcim-PRB set a 24-hour IMOCA record by covering a breathtaking 595.26 nautical miles (1102 kms). Over the past two days on the transatlantic stage the team repeatedly smashed that. First they broke The Ocean Race record of 602 nautical miles, set in the last race by Simeon Tienpont’s Team AkzoNobel in a VO65 five years ago. Racing in the same conditions, 11th Hour Racing also overtook that race record, clocking 611.9 nautical miles in 24 hours. The Ocean Race 2022-23 – 25 May 2023, Leg 5 Day 4 onboard Team Holcim – PRB. Fast around the high pressure – sea finally flat, at full speed during the 24 hours record. Then Holcim-PRB clocked up 622.58 miles in 24 hours, which overtook the monohull sailing record set by the 100ft Comanche in 2015, that had held for eight years after being set in the Transatlantic Race. However, with exceptionally high speed conditions mid-Atlantic – downwind reaching, in 25-30 knots of wind, with a relatively flat sea state – Holcim-PRB just kept adding to their mileage total, and this morning reported they had covered an incredible 640.9 miles. Skipper Escoffier had predicted this result earlier in the day, explaining: “Yesterday, we caught up with a weather front. We passed in front of it and now we are following it on starboard tack, which gives us high speeds… The sea is flat which is rather pleasant… If it goes on like this, we will break the 24-hour record again.” Their consistent high speeds and control are all the more impressive given the team had only restepped the mast shortly before

There are exciting developments from big new brands in the satcom scene, but what might suit your sailing? Rupert Holmes reports Until recently, developments in satellite communications were painfully slow, but the pace of change started to quicken a few years ago and is today accelerating rapidly. There’s now a wider choice and vastly improved data speeds, driven by new generation satellites and a growing number of market players, including big brands such as Apple, Amazon and of course Elon Musk/SpaceX’s rapidly expanding Starlink service. At the same time there’s still space in the market for low cost existing devices that provide mostly text-based comms and a data connection to allow weather GRIBs and GMDSS weather forecasts to be downloaded. The original Iridium GO!, which launched almost a decade ago, quickly became the most popular device for long distance passagemaking, partly as the result of an unlimited data plan, even though downloads are at a snail’s pace. Iridium GO! exec The new Iridium GO! exec, launched this spring, will be sold alongside the original device. It’s borne of a similar ethos, but with data speeds 40x higher and the addition of a microphone, loudspeaker and touchscreen. This allows voice calls to be made and received without pairing the unit to a smartphone – potentially useful if you have to take it to the liferaft. Like the original it can also be used as a wifi hub to connect phones, tablets or laptops to the Iridium network. Iridium GO! exec has much faster data speeds and can still be paired to phones and other mobile devices At its core is the Iridium Certus 100 hardware, which gives download speeds of 88kbps and uploads of 22kbps. The download speed is only 50% faster than old school dial-up internet, so it’s still a narrowband product. Nevertheless it’s a marked improvement that allows satellite weather images showing the exact location of fronts or storm cells to be downloaded, or for medium-resolution photos to be sent to social media. Unless a satellite system is only used for a one-off ocean passage, airtime and data prices have a much bigger bearing on long term costs than

Having paused their Pacific cruise in Mo’orea, Josh Shankle and Rachel Moore find wonderment swimming with humpback whales “Slip into the water, don’t jump. Try not to splash, and follow me,” our guide Torea hurriedly told us as the panga-style boat slowed to a stop, only 100m away from a sleeping giant. “Stay together, stay close to me. Ready? Let’s go!” As the boat clicked into neutral, Torea was already in the water and swimming away, urging us all to follow quickly. Lowering myself into the water, I barely had time to take in the vast blue void of the open ocean below me. By the time I took my first breath, he was already 10m away, kicking toward where he’d last seen the whale spout. From the boat, the distance we had to swim didn’t look far, but once in the water fighting the wind chop and current, I realised the 100m swim was going to take more effort than I’d realised. I’m unsure of how far we really swam or how long it took in the end, as the excitement and adrenaline rush distorted details. Once we reached the spot Torea believed the whale to have last been, we slowed our pace and searched the endless blue below us. He kept reminding us to stay together and stay close, which in the emptiness of the Pacific, I was happy to do. We strained our eyes trying to make out a shape in the depths. Light rays pierced into the abyss, dancing around and playing tricks on our eyes. Then, slowly out of the blue expanse, a silhouette began to take shape. She didn’t seem to be moving, slowly ascending from the depths with ease and grace, seemingly unaware of our floundering, awkward presence. As she rose, her calf also came into view just below her. Time slowed to a stop as these magnificent beings rose to the surface, just metres in front of us. I was torn between raising my GoPro to capture the sight, albeit viewed through a tiny LCD screen, or forgetting my camera to instead be fully present in the moment. ‘Time slowed to a

Sian Lewis shares her top 6 choices for the best swimming goggles for open water Whether you’re a regular outdoor swimmer or just love to clock up laps in your local indoor pool, a pair of good swimming goggles are an essential to keep swimmers comfortable in the water, and help you work out for longer. Good swimming goggles are harder to find thank you might think – they need to offer a great firm fit around your eyes that doesn’t allow water in without being painful or tight (and ideally, without leaving you with red rings around your eyes after a swim). They also need to be adjustable to sit comfortably over a swim cap and stay fog-free so you can see where you’re going. After you’ve got a good fit, you’ll also need to consider what lens colour you go for – from clear to tinted, mirrored to polarised, there’s a goggle for every weather condition, and I’ve explained exactly what to choose in the buyer’s guide below. Most mid-range adult goggles are one size, but if you have a smaller or wider face you’ll find differently sized or adjustable goggles available. And if you usually wear glasses, prescription goggles designed to correct your eyesight will help you see clearly. Once you own a great pair of goggles, look after them by rinsing them in water after use, leaving to air dry and keeping them out of the sun. My top six picks of the best swimming goggles for adults fit the face nicely, offer great clarity of vision and feel comfortable to wear even for long periods of time in the water. You’ll also find key features to look out for when choosing your new swimming goggles in the buyer’s guide, below. At a glance: Best Goggles for those who compete – Speedo Unisex Fastskin Speedsocket 2 Swimming Goggles Best Goggles for those on a budget – Decathlon Swimdow Best Goggles for polarisation – Zoggs Predator Flex Polarized Ultra Reactor Goggles Speedo Unisex Fastskin Speedsocket 2 Swimming Goggles Best swimming goggles for open water competitive swimming Reasons to Buy: great slim design, mirrored lenses, anti-fog Reasons to Avoid:

Long term liveaboard Catherine Lawson talks about how to provision a yacht for a long passage and passes on some of her top tips Provisioning a yacht for a long period away from conventional shops, with limited cold store space, dry goods stowage and galley facilities, can be daunting. In a beautifully illustrated new book, The Hunter & The Gatherer, long-time liveaboards Catherine Lawson and David Bristow explain how they provision, shop, forage and cook while cruising tropical and remote waters. The couple have been cruising for more than two decades, and are currently exploring Indonesia and south-east Asia on their 40ft catamaran Wild One with their daughter, Maya, seeking out remote anchorages as much as possible. That desire to be far away has shaped their food mentality, which Catherine explains is for, “ocean-loving foodies striving for better health, greater self-sufficiency and a tiny footprint on the sea.” Here, Catherine shares her advice on how to provision your yacht before departure. Galley stores We stock our boat with all the things we like to eat in bulk quantities that will sustain us for three months or more at a time. We stop and shop wherever we can, replenishing fresh, market-bought produce and trading with locals whenever those friendly exchanges present themselves. We also enjoy our daily attempts to catch, spear and forage for seafood. There is immense freedom in living this way, and I rarely feel bound to the shore. Every sailor’s pantry looks different to the next, but here’s an overview of the items we strive to carry on board: Carbohydrates and grains Whole grains and processed grain-based foods form the backbone of any sailor’s stores. Mine includes pasta, rice (basmati, brown and sushi), quinoa, rice noodles, tortilla chips, couscous and long-life flatbreads for quick-cook pizzas and lunchtime wraps. I carry rice paper sheets (for fresh rolls), crackers, frozen pastry and plenty of flour for baking sourdough bread, which I turn into croutons and breadcrumbs too. We basically store a little bit of everything and restock with whatever is locally available in the towns we sail into. As many grain-based foods generate an excess of plastic waste, especially the

Legendary American sailor Buddy Melges known as the ‘Wizard of Zenda’ has passed away at the age of 93 Skipper Buddy Melges and the crew of America 3 get set to round the second mark on their way to a victory over Stars and Stripes in the America’s Cup defender series 30 April 1992. (Photo by Vince Bucci / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images) Harry Clemons ‘Buddy’ Melges Jr., widely considered to be one of America’s greatest competitive sailors, passed away on May 18, 2023. Born on January 26, 1930, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Buddy grew up on Delavan Lake, honing his skills sailing the boats crafted by his father, Harry Melges Sr., at Melges Boat Works. From its humble origins as a wooden rowboat builder, the family business evolved into one of the most innovative boat builders in sailing, producing high quality performance hulls and sails while also fostering a passionate sailing community over the last 78 years. Over his eight-decade career, Buddy advanced the sport and etched his name into the annals of sailing history in many different areas of the sport.,  His remarkable career included Olympic glory, earning a gold medal in the Soling class in 1972 and a bronze medal in the Flying Dutchman class in 1964. He also claimed a gold medal in the Flying Dutchman Class at the Pan American Games in 1967, was two-time Star World Champion (in 1978 and 1979), and a remarkable three-time 5.5 Metre World Champion in 1967, 1973, and 1983. Medalists in the Flying Dutchman at the 1964 Olympic Games, in Enoshima, Japan. Gold Earle Wells (front) and Helmer Pedersen NZL; silver Keith Musto and Tony Morgan GBR; Bronze Buddy Melges (far right) and William Bentsen USA. Photo by Bride Lane Library/Popperfoto via Getty Images Competing on the US national stage, Buddy won the E-Scow National Championship five times, triumphing in 1965, 1969, 1978, 1979, and 1983. He also won the North American Men’s Sailing Championships and the Clifford D. Mallory Trophy – a US ‘champion of champions’ event – in 1959, 1960, and 1961. Buddy Melges was also talented in ice yachting, with seven

Young Breton sailor Guirec Soudée and his famous red hen, Monique, ride out Christmas ice-bound in Greenland. Tom Cunliffe introduces this extract Say what you will, but the French have got style. We Anglo-Saxons may fancy ourselves as adventurers, but then along comes an unsponsored lad from North Brittany in a 30ft steel boat and trumps us all. Not only is his voyage more than notable in its own right, his choice of shipmate is unique. Very few single-handers take pets along for the ride. Examples like Pete Crowther who shipped out with his cat on the longest-ever passage in the single-handed Atlantic races are rare, but Guirec Soudée decided to sign on his favourite chicken. A little red hen called Monique accompanied him to the Caribbean, wintered in Northwest Greenland, sailed on through the Northwest Passage, down to Antarctica and home again to Brittany, rewarding him with an egg a day whenever she could manage it. Guirec was just 18 when he slipped his lines. His humility, humour and youthful love for the world around him shines through every page of his inspiring book, A Sailor, a Chicken, an Incredible Voyage. We are lucky enough to join him and Monique aboard Yvinec over Christmas and the New Year far up the coast of Northwest Greenland. Things are not going smoothly… Sometimes, I worry I’m going mad. I’m talking to a chicken, grooming my facial hair with a fork and I could do with a really good meal. It must be a little after eleven in the morning when I see it. Heading out on deck, I can suddenly sense something moving really close to the boat. Maybe it’s just a chunk of ice. Maybe I’m hallucinating. I keep my eyes trained on the same spot, and again, there’s a ripple in the water. There it is, a seal! With the cutest little round head and whiskers. Instinctively, I think ‘meat’ and ‘dinner’ and duck down into the cabin to fetch my rifle. When I come back out, the seal is still there. Just as it pokes its head out of the water, I tuck the butt of the rifle

Pro offshore sailor and Olympian Francesca Clapcich shares tips on how to trim an asymmetric spinnaker in light airs with Andy Rice Francesca Clapcich has enjoyed a hugely diverse and successful racing career. Her years racing the Laser Radial at Olympic level honed her wave-riding skills where sailors steer huge arcs – either luffing up or bearing away to run by the lee – in order to find the best path downwind. Her subsequent switch to the 49erFX skiff introduced her to the very different techniques of sailing to the much fussier demands of the gennaker. While bowsprit-driven headsails may be fast and efficient, they’re not very adaptable to different steering angles, nothing like a Laser or a symmetric spinnakered boat. A gennaker demands that you steer to the sail’s optimum trim most of the time. Clapcich’s subsequent switch to offshore racing in boats like the VO65, Figaro 3, and IMOCA has given her a breadth of asymmetric trimming experience that makes her the perfect coach for this subject. Here are Francesca’s five best tips for good asymmetric boatspeed in light to moderate conditions. Stay on best VMG Any time you’re sailing in a mode other than best VMG you’re effectively giving away time and distance. That’s why it’s good to find a piece of the race course away from the other boats, where you have the space to sail the course you want. In short-course racing it’s not always easy to find that open space, so you need to get good at being able to keep on sailing fast and accurately in tight lanes. And you need to be able to sail high-and-fast or low-and-slow in different tactical situations. But use those modes only when you have to. Most of the time, particularly when you’re racing with A-sails, you need to sail and trim to your best VMG as much as possible. If in doubt, go low Being able to sail a deeper angle than boats around you is a key skill that’ll help you gain advantage on downwind legs. It gives you the option to gybe when you want to, not be dictated to by other boats. We