Welsh Laser Squad Weekend 1

Upwind Sitting Position

Positive posture is important to gain leaverage in hiking conditions and maintain a good feild of vision in all wind strengths

Bum position makes all the difference with posture, if too far out then shoulders have to come in creating a bumblebee effect leading to poor vision and maneuverability

Keep weight forward in the boat especially in light winds!!!

Rig Setup1 - Downhaul, controls the entry on the rig and the top of the sail. Lightwind - Looking for the crease going to the end of the boom. Strong wind - To depower sail pull tight to get crease along front of mast, this opens up the top of the sail and releases power.

2 - Outhaul, controls the depth of the bottom of the sail. On avarage looking for ¾ to 1 hands depth to maintain power in all conditions.

3 - Kicker, controls the leach in the mid part of the sail. Lightwind - block to block and slack out. Strong wind - Pull hard so blocks are around 45 degrees this allows boom to go straight out and depower sail straight away very important!!!

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3Downwind we are looking for a flicking leach controlled by the kicker!!

Tacking

Small amount of rudder, mainsheet remains in and weight stays out.

When luff backs push rudder further and throw shoulders out more.

As sail crosses move shoulders low and through the boat, start straightening the rudder. Ease sail a bit when transferring up boat

When sail fills land with bum over the side, rudder straight and squeeze the slack of the mainsheet back in. (back foot under toe strap)

Hold exit angle, straight onto tell tails and think about body position to get boat up to speed ASAP

Gybe

Pull mainsheet in fast and smooth whilst steering slightly towards you.

Keep steering to a minimum, as leach backs flick weight out to create roll.

Transition through the boat as the boom moves over the boat land facing forward in boat allowing the rudder to be straightened easier

Steer back to a run, let the sail out, swap hands and get your head up and out the boat to gain info!!