Buoy roundings are an important part of any windsurfing race and a key area to make (or lose) places and positions in a race. Done correctly, bottom buoy roundings can set up your position for the next upwind beat and create opportunities for passing or protecting a lead early o…

No doubt, nailing the start of any race is one of the most important factors in winning windsurfing races. Starting well requires great board handling skills, a good knowledge of the conditions and the fastest lanes around the course as well as nerves of steel and a tiny bit of g…

Now that you’ve made it to the windward mark, you have reached the final section of the lap/race approaching the final drag to the finish. The downwind leg to the leeward mark is usually a fast-paced, sprint race with high tensions and lots of pressure for the lead boats a…

One of the most difficult aspects of improving your time around the course is understanding and applying tactics. A plethora of fantastic sailing books have been written on tactics but the simple fact of the matter is you only get so good by reading; real world experience goes …

We’ve already looked at how to get a great start in FW racing, but what about after the start? The first upwind beat to the windward mark is certainly the most important leg of the race, and with the trend for shorter races on the Pro FW Circuit these days, your position at th…

With the trend on the international racing scene for shorter races in Formula Windsurfing (FW), it is now more important than ever to get the best start possible. There are a few startline basics tutorials out there that I have seen, including one from Kevin Pritchard (now off…