1 Tide for the change
It’s a light wind race with a beat to the first mark, and there is a strong tide running from right to left (looking upwind) in the starting area. You have checked the line bias against the wind on the flags on the committee boat and can see that the RO has laid the square to the wind he’s measured. Which point on the start line would give an immediate advantage at start time?
A: Starting by the committee boat at the up-tide end gives an immediate advantage
B: Starting at the pin end gives an immediate advantage
C: As the line is square, starting in a space in clear wind is the only consideration
D: Starting in the middle of the line gives an immediate advantage
Starting at the pin end gives an immediate advantage Though the line is laid square to the ground wind, that’s only relevant if you are attached to the ground! If you check the line bias by sailing head to wind, you’ll see that the sailing wind is skewed to the left by the action of the tide. A boat starting at the pin on port tack will cross ahead of a boat that starts on starboard tack at the committee boat.
