Sailing – especially regatta sailing – is a fascinating sport that requires not only mental and physical training but also fundamental knowledge of geometry. The central element in sailing is always the wind, which moves the boat.

• A pull wind moves the boat closer to the windward buoy, thus shortening the course.
• A push wind moves the boat away from the windward buoy, thus lengthening the course.

We have specially developed exercises that show how important it is to carefully observe the wind. In order to make this topic as understandable as possible for the youngest sailing enthusiasts, we chose the “Opti” with a boat length of 2.30m as the basis for calculation and measurement for the mathematical and graphical representation of various situations and decision-making options in changing winds. In the exercises, we make possible shortcuts or extensions of the route visible relatively easily - namely with Opti boat lengths - and thus illustrate the crucial role that wind shifts play on the regatta field. The simulations in the Tactical Sailing program - Coach's Toolbox - allow the helmsman to realistically experience the same situations on the water on the PC screen. Sailing “against the wind” will be discussed specifically.

Video clips: See the free video clips "Puller or Pusher" on YouTube - click here.
Download: Download the scenes in the free documentation here: Pull or Push, click here (.pdf file).
Order: To order the programCoach's Toolbox for Windows and Mac PCs, please visit the following website: click here.

© Matías Capizzano

To make this topic as easy to understand as possible for even the youngest sailors, we have chosen the Optimist dinghy (2.30m) as the basis for calculations and the unit of measurement for the mathematical and graphical representation of various situations and decision-making possibilities. In the exercises, we use Optimist boat lengths to illustrate possible shortcuts or lengthening of the sailing route with geometric sketches, thus highlighting the crucial role that wind shifts play on the racecourse. The simulations in the Tactical Sailing program – Coach Toolbox - allow the helmsman to realistically depict the same situations on the water on the computer screen. Special attention is paid to sailing "upwind."

Download the documentation, which shows the shortcuts or lengthening of an 80 m course by 35 boat lengths using lee tacks or push tacks, click here.

Video clips: Watch the free video clips on "Pulling or Pushing" on YouTube - click here.
Download: Download the geometric sketches in the free documentation: Tactical Sailing – Simulations "Against the Wind": Pulling or Pushing - click here (PDF).