The One-Design Tactician
Everyone knows the names of the best skippers in the fleet by reading the race results at the end of the regatta. But not everyone knows the name of the tactician that helped keep the winning crew and skipper on the right path. All the fame and glory in racing one-design sailboats seems to be associated with the helmsman. But, every great helmsman understands how important it is to have a good tactician on board who can guide a team to the top. The tactician is in the hot seat from the time they step on the boat until the regatta is over. It's a high pressure position but one that is very rewarding when everything comes together and you attain the goals you set out to reach. A fast boat always makes the tactician look like a genius, but when things start to go bad tacticians really earn their keep. The crew work can be awesome and the boat speed fine, but if the tactician makes some bad calls the whole team looks to the back of the boat for answers. The key to being a successful tactician is to always be prepared for any situation and focus on the fundamentals.
A successful race is determined on how you strategically and tactically make decisions that affect your team. Tactics are determined by how you sail according to the moves of other boats and your strategy is determined by figuring out the wind, waves and current on the racecourse. The most important thing to remember is to keep everything simple. Don't over think the race, stick to the basics and maintain an upbeat attitude. Keep the boat moving as fast as possible in the right direction and things will fall into place. Try not to force the team to do too much, mistakes seem to happen when crews are pushed to fast or asked to do too much. You have to also be the motivator and the one that keeps everyone upbeat when things go bad. It's important to establish a working relationship with the helmsman and the crew. Keep the helmsman focused on driving fast when he starts to freak out because the other side of the course is crossing. Remind him that the wind will shift back and that he can still pass boats on the next shift. When the crew has a bad jibe or tack, don't freak out, keep them focused on recovering and getting back into the race. Try to take responsibility for the problems that arise so the crew can concentrate on their own jobs and stay focused on the task at hand.
All winning tacticians seem to have one thing in common, and that is their skill for race preparation. I'm a firm believer that regattas are won long before the first race starts. You must have a plan to succeed in today's ultra competitive one-design fleets. No longer can we step on a boat, sail out to the start and expect to have great finishes. Race preparation begins by doing your homework. Study tide and current charts before you leave for the event. Research the expected weather by watching the Weather Channel and utilizing the World Wide Web. Familiarize yourself with the sailing instructions, racecourses and any special race committee procedures. Talk to people who have sailed in the event before and try and find a local who is willing to give you current information on a locality. Work on a pre start checklist to make sure everything is taken care of before the race even starts. Work on getting the team to the boat early so you can be the first ones to the starting area. If possible make sure the team sails to the racecourse so you can familiarize yourself with the conditions for that day and make the proper sail selection. Once you arrive to the starting area don't relax and pop open the brew. Sail upwind to get the port and starboard headings and try and figure out whether the first shift will be to the right or left. Look to see which side has more pressure on it and where the wind might shift at the top of the course. Try and sail next to a crab pot or channel marker to see the strength and direction of the current. Is there relief from the current on one side or the other? All this information will be useful when you put your pre race plan together.
A great start in the first race will keep everyone working hard and will make your job as a tactician much easier. Get the whole team involved in finding the favored end and having a great start. Watch other classes start if you are starting behind another fleet. Make sure your skipper sails to both ends of the line to see if one side is visibly favored. Remember to double-check your instincts with the Sail comp or handheld compass. Remind the bowman to get a line sight so he can keep the boat on the line in the heat of the battle. All this pre start work will pay off huge when you hit the line at full speed at the favored end and head for the first shift.
Once the boat is in race mode keep updating the team with positive feedback. Talk with a steady upbeat voice to the entire crew. Give each crewmember specific tasks when something has to be done and give them plenty of time. The wheels start to fall off the train when people are pushed and maneuvers are rushed. Stay calm and try not to panic if you get behind in the race after a mistake. Steadily climb back into the race and don't try and hit a home run by banging a corner. Huge losses are hardly ever made up in one swift move. Focus on the big picture at all times. Let the little things go. Don't get into unnecessary tacking or jibing duels or sail off the face of the planet just to cover someone. Keep your team focused on passing boats one at a time and the small rewards will add up.
After the race let the crew relax, but remember the day is not over. Keeping your game face on for the entire day is very hard to do, especially during light air postponements and multiple general recalls. Keep the crew upbeat even if the race was a bad one. Focus on the positive points of the race and discuss the bad breaks so that they won't happen again. Regardless of how well you get, you will always make mistakes as a team. The team that wins the event will not be the team that has sailed a perfect event, but he team that has had the fewest mistakes.
Once on shore the team is free to hit the party, but the good tacticians will be checking the notice board for possible protests, sailing instruction amendments, or any changes that may affect the next day's racing. Also get a copy of the scores to see what has to be done the next day to move up in the standings. It's always nice to have a current copy of the scores going into the last day of racing so when it starts to get tight you know who your team has to clamp on to move up.
Tacticians have many different shoes to fill in many different situations. They are the motivator and leader that strive to keep everyone on a straight path. From prying the team out of the bar at a reasonable hour to finding that shift on the first beat, it's a full time job. You have to be ready to take the heat when the going gets rough, but it also has to be the best seat in the house to learn more about racing. You get to hear the struggles of your own crew and witness their achievement in boathandling and sail trim. You also get to see the big picture and how other teams in the fleet handle the same situation you are in. It's lonely when you make a bad call and everyone knows your mistake, but there is nothing like it when it all comes together.
The whole boat will perform better and racing will be much more enjoyable if you stick to a game plan and motivate your team to sail their best.
Sail fast & have fun!
Scott Nixon
Quantum Sail Design Group
