Team Racing
Q. What is Team Racing?
A. Team Racing is a lot like match racing (like the America’s Cup) but instead of one boat versus one it is three boats versus three.
Scoring System: 1st = 1, 2nd = 2, etc. The team with lowest score wins. If you look at the maths, various combinations give a team win. e.g Team A: 2,3,4 v Team B: 1,5,6 = 9pts v 12pts . Team A wins even though Team B were first across the line.
Q. How do you win a Team Race?
A. 1. Boat Speed 2. At the Start 3. Racing fast (picking the shifts etc) 4. Team Racing Tactics
Q. How do we learn Team Tactics?
A. Learn the Sailing Rules! Like match racing, team racing rules are only slightly different from normal rules. Tactics involve using your knowledge of the rules to your advantage.
Q. What if I don’t know the rules?
A. In a boat on boat situation you will probably be out-sailed by someone who does or they will force you into a penalty.
Q. OK, I’ve learnt the rules, what are the fancy ream racing moves?
A. Your coach will show you the moves BUT you can’t do the moves unless you can control your boat! Practice, practice pratice! Most of the skills are what you should already be using in fleet racing starts (stopping, slowing, close quarters action).
Q. Can we have a two boat team?
A. Not usually for a ‘proper’ competition but 4 boat contests are a really good way to get started team racing. It is a lot simpler and you can tell who is winning without calculating 3 boat combinations. In two v two matches the team with the last boat loses. e.g RED, BLUE, BLUE, RED = 5pts each, tie break ‘last boat loses’ = BLUE team wins. Red should have sacrificed 1st place and worked to drop a blue boat to last.
Q. What about penalties and umpires?
A. If protested either take a voluntary 360 turn or wait for the umpire to make a decision. The umpire might green flag the incident (no penalty) or impose a 720 turn.
