Are you tired of losing? We explain how to win regattas #1

Have you been a boat owner for many years, but despite a lot of financial and technical efforts you are unable to win races? This then is the right page for you. We introduce the first of four installments, in which, together with experts Duccio Colombi and Sebastiano Moise of PHI!Number, we will go over what are the right moves to make to win regattas. This first installment, developed in six chapters, is devoted to the very important Kick-Off and Setting phase, i.e., how to prepare a competitive project “ashore” that succeeds in making you successful on the water: how to put together your crew and arrange your boat starting with your goals and budget.

1. COMPETITIVE PROJECT
The first brick to be laid to build a winning team is to get clear on the goals to be achieved over the course of the season. With the same boat it is impossible to try to win any kind of regatta: long, ocean, stick, IRC, ORC. The program must be very clear: what are the race courses I want to invest in and what kind of races should I prepare for. Having clarified this point, it is time to establish your budget. The “vile money” is crucial in figuring out which regattas are within your reach depending on the boat you have available. The season’s calendar thus arises from the convergence of competitive project, boat type and budget: the synthesis of these three elements results in a project potentially within your reach.

2. THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT ROLE
Selection of crew members is the second move not to be missed. Beware, do not dwell on the technical preparation of the individual alone; instead, evaluate the character and ability of the group to be able to work together. In order to achieve results, it is not always necessary to hire a team of only professionals; we can often involve people with the appropriate technical and passionate skills in our project who, with competent guidance, will be able to grow in their roles. In fact, if you prefer to grow in your sport and conquer the podium in person, it will be necessary to create a close-knit team where each member will have to play the role that suits him or her best by choosing based on the technical, character and physical characteristics of each person. it is also important to clarify that roles do not end on the water during the regatta, but each person maintains a “mission” on land as well. Let’s take an example: the tailer’s sole job will not be to adjust the sails, but he or she will have to take note of any issues to share with the crew and perhaps report to the sailmaker, as well as note down references, signs and feelings in a personal notebook. The maximum is reached when on our boat everyone acquires a high degree of responsibility, and during the race can have the right margin of decision-making in their role.

3. COMMUNICATION BEGINS WITH SILENCE
Communication on board must have clear rules and be set up with no room for interpretation. Everyone will need to know when they can afford to speak, as silence is sacred. This will mean increasing concentration on board as well as “listening” to the boat. communication in sectors is also important: to give an example, on certain boats (and unless there are special tactical requirements), top communication will be reached when the bowman himself calls the times for the spinnaker to be lowered. Who better to consider the technical issues of the maneuver and define the timeline between now and the buoy?
4. THE “SELF MADE SAILOR”
Becoming strong racers yourself requires commitment. The availability for racing and training of those we invite on our team is as much a factor to consider as technical ability. Be committed to scouting out sailors who are ready to put in the hard work and go out of their way to be in the boat. For your own personal path to results, surrounding yourself with committed “veli-stars” on different race courses may help to steal information, but you will not grow as a team. Give confidence to someone who shows such a desire to be in the boat, if well followed and with a good training program, within a short time they will be more than capable in their assigned role.
5. “PULLING” THE BOAT
When the crew selection has been finalized, it is time to turn to fine-tuning the boat, which, if possible, should be brought up to 100 percent of its potential in line with the budget available and the scheduled races. The choice of sails, for example, will have to be consistent with the season’s competitive design. Symmetrical spi or gennaker? Durable materials or just performance? It will again depend on the level of the crew, the type of boat (planing or displacement), and the type of racing (long distance or sticks).
6. INTERPRETING THE CERTIFICATE
Another key issue in IRC and ORC is the tonnage certificate. Formulas change periodically and it may be crucial to make some changes to your boat. This will enable you to navigate fast on the water but without being rating inefficient. This “optimization” work requires experience so as not to risk making wrong choices.