Dave Evans, one of GBR's best 49er helmsmen, talks about the crucial skill needed to slow the skiff down when charging through big waves. Otherwise, it's the dreaded pitchpole. Watch, listen and learn if you want to stop falling over the handlebars.....
How the temptation of a £5 note convinced a Musto Skiff sailor to stand up through his tacks... and why you should be tempted too....
Great sailors know how to sail their boats really quick, but they also know how to sail really slowwwly too. Sometimes you've got to give some away, to get a lot back later down the track. Here's how you do it....
You only ever do windward-leeward courses on a port-hand rounding, so why would you bother training for anything else? Even 49er World Champions Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks believed this, until they discovered the error of their ways...
The Rudder is your friend, but don't abuse the friendship. Only call on the Rudder as much as you need to, and get acquainted with your other friends Boat Heel and Sail Trim. Do this, and the Rudder will thank you for it. The more you can use other factors to steer the boat, the less drag you'll apply to the Rudder, and the faster you'll go...
The 470 fleet competes at Hyeres in light and challenging conditions. Some useful tacking and mark-rounding footage here...