There is a saying in sailing that “if two sailboats are on the water, they’re racing…” and while that may not be every sailor’s cup of tea, there is a large contingent of people for which that is the only reason to get up and go sailing. While I fall flatly in between, owning both a Catalina 270 (NOT a race boat) and a Laser (Classic Olympic Class Racer), I can say that I learn more about sailing from racing than from cruising.
Now before anyone shoots me, there is a lot more to being a “Competent Sailor” than just sailing skill. But Sailboat Racing really forces you to understand the sailing part of the sailing at a very deep, almost emotional level.
There are all kinds of sailboat racing: Buoy racing, point to point racing, One-Design racing, Handicap racing, poker races, reverse PHRF races…the list goes on. The most recognizable is Buoy Racing. Simple buoy racing involves a course, set with one buoy to windward and one to leeward, a start line and a finish line.
The first leg of a race like this involves getting off the start line in close quarters cleanly and sailing upwind to the first, or windward, mark. Then it is a turn down towards the leeward mark. Often this involves a sail change from a jib to a spinnaker. It also involves a whole different set of tactics and ways to get ahead (or fall behind!)
Then everyone converges again at the leeward mark (sometimes a gate…even more complicated!) Down comes the spinnaker, back up with the jib. Was it twice around or are we going to the finish?!?! We’re going upwind again. Was that a shift? Should we tack or lead back? You must cover!
All of these things make going 2-6 knots in a sailboat one of the most fun things on the planet. Whether you race big boats or small boats, buoy racing or around the world racing, it is addicting.
Desert Wind Sailing 
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