I really hate them with a passion because it almost irradicates the downwind leg. They typically use these courses as an inner/outer loop to split the fleets however after quite a few seasons of complaints they appear to have banished split fleets at most of the formula events I’ve been to.

The key to these courses is being able to go fast on the broadreach to the outer windward mark. Its tough, as this really favours the heavier sailors and usually very soft fins which are great for angle upwind, are horribly slow on reaches (which they aren’t usually designed for). Its a skill game, and the “hopeless position” plays a crucial role in broadreaching, so if you are ever sitting behind someone, you need to luff to windward to get out of their dirty air or face getting rolled by half the fleet behind you as you slow down in the leading boat’s displaced air.

The downwind leg is usually cut short as you are almost halfway to the leeward mark after a broadreach. Most times this means you will be at a disadvantage by taking the extra 3 gybes, even if the course is favoured on the inside rather than continuing on starboard tack to make the mark in one gybe.

The above rules and suggestions in this article still apply in this case, you just have less time to apply them. Starts and upwind position are more crucial with these courses. Its difficult to pass people downwind on these “follow-the-leader” type courses.

I can only dream that we will see more ‘gate’ courses and windward/leewards on the Pro Tour in the future. Bring back the tactics to Formula!

You talk about upwind/downwind course a lot, but that isn’t always the courses used. Especially at the bigger events.

Good point about the 3-gybes and making the gybe BEFORE the layline. I often times sail over the layline thinking I’m going the better side of the course anyhow, only to lose that advantage by sailing the extra distance.