The downwind used to be considered the "resting" leg. Not so in the Laser. Here is a great video from the International Sailing Academy on how to use your body position and steering to go faster downwind.
Downwind Laser Body Position
Gunboat 66 Extreme H20 Walkthrough
I don't generally believe in a "Racer/Cruiser" but if you are into big catamarans, the Gunboat 66 really comes close. With racing features like big retractable daggerboards, huge B&G instruments, and sail controls led to a central position that is not the helm so crew can work without getting in the way of the helmsman... Continue Reading →
2018 Laser North American Champoinships
This year the Laser North American Championship was held at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club the 12th - 15th of July. This event was a qualifier for the 16 slots for the 2019 PanAm Games. There were 69 boats competing in the Full Laser Fleet, 80 in the Radial fleet, and 10 in the 4.7 fleet! Competition... Continue Reading →
Start of Season Laser Tips
No matter how many videos I watch or how many people I talk to, I almost always get something out of these kinds of discussions. This is RYA's Top Tips video with John Leach (of LP) and Sam Wailey of the British Sailing Team. They take you through checking over your boat after off... Continue Reading →
RS21 – A J70 and Viper 640 Competitor
A new competitor in the 19-21' sport-boat space has come out of the UK. Earlier this year RS Sailing launched it's new club racing keel-boat the RS21. With dead simple rigging but a modern design and asymmetrical spinnaker, it is a great entry into the sport-keel-boat space. And at about half the price of a J70, it's... Continue Reading →
Match Racing Video Series – Putting it All Together
Match racing is an intense program of using the rules to control your opponent...your single opponent. In fleet racing, aggressively attacking one competitor often comes at the cost of loosing positions to others in your fleet. One-on-one situations happen, but are often short lived and are used quickly to gain an advantage and then refocusing... Continue Reading →
Match Racing Video Series – Leeward Mark and Finishing
Coming out of the leeward mark we immediately begin working our upwind tactics again. How you round is largely a matter of whether or not you are overlapped with your opponent. Match racing finishes downwind under spinnaker and if you and your opponent are well matched, it is usually very exciting!
Long Beach Race Week Day 2 Highlights
Team Cactus League raced the Catalina 37s for Long Beach Race week. We get to have fun with these about once a year. They were custom built and donated by Frank Butler and Catalina Yachts for the Congressional Cup and are operated by the Long Beach Sailing Foundation. When they are not being raced for... Continue Reading →
Match Racing Video Series – Windward Mark Rounding
We are now fighting to be first around the windward mark. there are some very subtle considerations as we approach and sail around the mark, and there are even some situations where slowing down is a preferred tactic!
Long Beach Race Week Day 1 Highlights
We had a great time this weekend at Long Beach Race Week on the Catalina 37s! Here is a quick highlight video of Day 1 from Team Cactus League...
Desert Wind Sailing 