Jonathan McKee Gets Us Out Of Some Sticky Situations

We all know how race winning tactics work don't we? Win the start, lead at the top mark, pop the chute and extend your lead for the rest of the race. Most of us know what to do when things go right for us and the perceived wisdom is that sailing at the front of the fleet is a good deal easier than at the back. What most people need help with is what tactics to apply when things are not going so well. How do the really good guys dig themselves out of a mid fleet first mark rounding and get back to something at least respectable by the finish?

To try and get some insight into how the pro's stage their comebacks we sat down with 2005 Melges 24 World Champion Jonathan McKee and set him a series of racecourse ‘nightmare scenarios' to work his way out of.

In all of the scenarios below the following apply:

• - You are racing in a 60 boat Championship fleet
• - Sailing in open sea conditions
• - There is an 8 -12 knot breeze which is oscillating through 15 degrees every 8 minutes
• - You are sailing a well prepared, well set up boat with a highly capable helm and crew

IM24CA: Scenario 1 - Clean start at the wrong end of the line...

Despite all of your best efforts in the prestart preparation, a last minute shift means that you and your team have lined up at the wrong end of the line. Lined up at the committee boat in the first few seconds after the gun you get that sinking feeling as you see the boats at the pin are already well advanced on you.

The only bonus is that you got a clean start and are in clear air. At that moment you are expecting a mid fleet weather mark rounding at best.

How do you react? What do you do next and why?

JM: First of all, that is a good reason to avoid the ends of the line, unless you are really sure about your starting strategy. Generally I opt for a mid-line start. The risk of getting caught in a raft up near the ends of the line is eliminated and you have a better view of the fleet to windward and to leeward, which allows you to assess how things are working out as the beat progresses.

If you do end up at the unfavored end of the line, it is probably because there has been a big header, and you should tack as soon as possible. Given the regular breeze changes outlined in this scenario, if you are able to stay in phase for the rest of the beat you will probably end up just fine.

IM24CA: Scenario 2 - Bad start at the right end of the line...

You got your prestart preparation right and you lined up down at the well favoured pin end of the line. Unfortunately the helmsman failed to ‘pull the trigger' early enough and you were slow off the line. After a minute of sailing you are being squeezed by the boats below you and there is a pack of three boats waiting to roll you to windward. Your predicted windward mark rounding position is looking like tail end Charlie right now.

How do you react? What do you do next and why?

JM: Again the key is to stay in phase with the shifts. If you are still lifted and expect the header shortly, then you should hang in there until it comes then tack very early in the shift to be to leeward in the next header phase.

IM24CA: Hanging on would mean sailing in lots of dirty air?

JM: Sometimes sailing in dirty air is the better option. Even though it feels bad at the time it is better to stay in phase than to bail out in the wrong direction. The pressure is all on the helm to be able to cope with it and many will demand to tack out into clean air. If you think it may be awhile until the header comes, then you should probably take two short clearing tacks to a position that allows you to continue on starboard until the header comes.

IM24CA: Scenario 3 - First windward mark at the back of the fleet...

You round the top mark on lap one and as you head off down the spreader leg you estimate that you are in the bottom twenty of the fleet. As usual the bulk of the fleet has stayed on starboard on the run with about twenty percent of the boats opting to gybe on to port. What should your strategy be on this downwind leg? What options are open to you to start to make gains? What do you do next and why?

JM: The correct thing to do generally has little to do with where you round the mark. It is mostly a matter of picking the right jibe and staying in phase with the shifts. When you are very deep in the fleet, the option to jibe-set or jibe early is not as painful because there is less bad air behind you.

But don't just blindly jibe away to get away from the fleet unless it is the right thing to do. Sometimes it is better to carry on and take your leverage to the right of the fleet. Also, start to think about the gate and which way you want to go on the next beat, and set yourself up to achieve that.

IM24CA: Scenario 4 - Approaching the leeward gates in a midfleet position....

Halfway along the first downwind leg you are lying around midway in the fleet and are starting to think about your leeward mark rounding. (In the distance) you can see that the first ten boats have all gone to the right hand (looking upwind) mark. What opportunities are there to make gains? What do you need to think about in order to position yourself best to do this?

JM: Again, the right thing to do generally has little to do with what the leaders do, especially in oscillating shifts. It is good to think about which gate you want, either because of less traffic or because you want to go that direction initially. Generally that means being on that side of the run in the later part of the downwind, but that can be overridden by the need to stay in phase. However, keep an open mind as you get close to the gate and ask again if your initial plan is still correct.

IM24CA: What do you consider to be the three (or more) most important things to remember or think about as a tactician when you are trying to dig yourself out of a poor position?

JM:

• 1. Don't try to do it all at once. This will usually lead to a big risk, i.e. separating from the fleet in the wrong direction. It is generally better to make a series of small gains and keep your options open, especially in oscillating shifts over a long race.
• 2. Stay in phase, even if that means sometimes sailing in bad air. If you must take clearing tacks, make them short and well positioned.
• 3. Keep a positive attitude and keep going fast. It is amazing what you can do sometimes if you don't give up and keep making rational rather than emotional decisions. Keep the boat calm and working well together. Exude confidence.
• 4. Keep asking yourself if the character of the wind has changed. If it continues to be an oscillating pattern then focus on the guidelines above. But sometimes another dynamic takes over, for example the breeze starts to get stronger on one side. Then you can take some leverage in that direction and often make a big gain.
• 5. Don't assume that this leg is the same as the last time around.