Finding a different path

I am a creature of habit when I'm out racing. I tend to run the path that makes the most sense, because it makes the most sense. More often then not this for me equals a win or puts me in the best place to win, and regardless of where other racers are I always stick to my path.

Now I have a problem, while I was doing the same thing every race everyone else was getting better( I guess they do learn ). Getting my usual start is now virtually impossible as nearly everyone has adopted a similar starting method, landing me back a few places in the fleet under wind shadows and having to rethink how things are to be done.

In need of new tactics I've taken to sailing virtual skipper 5 in my free not racing in SL time, also I've become a huge fan of the Louis Vuitton Trophy races. Watching professionals in IACC boats dueling has taught me many valuable lessons, a major one being taking a different path can net great gains.

One of the biggest is don't be afraid to take a line that will leave you under the mark your heading for. Depending on wind angle and tack this can leave for windward of your rivals in clean air with more speed, as well as when you finally need to tack to make the mark it can put you in a position of rights to push others off their racing line and give you an advantage you wouldn't normally have. I used this tactic in a graded ACA race last night to gain a position and valuable points that my previous in the box thinking wouldn't have gotten me.

So when you find yourself in a bad spot find a new way and you may be surprised what results you end up with.