Gain or Loss

Sailing – especially regatta sailing – is a fascinating sport that requires not only mental and physical training but also a solid foundation in geometry. The central element in sailing is always the wind, which propels the boat. The following section focuses specifically on sailing "upwind."

In addition to the calculations, we aim to illustrate the gains and losses, as well as the "risk zones," to the skipper by calculating "gained" and "lost" boat lengths – also presented graphically – and demonstrate the importance of carefully observing wind shifts.

As an example, we will use Optimist dinghies with a length of 2.30 m and a tacking angle of 45°.

DOWNLOAD: Download the scenes and video clips in the free documentation here: Gain or Loss - here (.pdf file).