With the championship season underway the P&B team are all busy getting them selves and their boats ready for some major events across the world. Blessed with a multitude of championship winning sailors, and with over 40 years sailing experience to call upon the P&B team thought it would be a great time to put together a list of "Top 10 Tips" for championship sailing...
- Make sure the boat is well prepared, nothing worse than doing boat work at events, it's a rubbish way to spend your evening and breakages are a bad way to lose an event or overall position.
- Make sure your boat is tuned to your settings or tuning guide. P&B offer tuning guides for all classes they produce sails for on the website. Equipment list, rig gauge, tape measure, marker pen, pre bend measure, twine, etc.
- Never pack sailing kit based on expected weather, pack everything! Some days you can be wearing sun cream and rash vests then the next you could be donning steamers and beanie hats.
- Allow some time to give your sails a once over. Check in common areas of rubbing such as where the top batten hits the luff, the headboard and when applicable, the spinnaker retrieval patch.
- Make sure you have a toolbox at the ready, fully kitted out with all the essential tools as well as some spare parts...SEE previous newsletter!
- All of the P&B team will never go on the water without a tack tick compass, It might not be something we look at all day but it is often the most important tool in the boat.
- Starting in big fleets is a different experience to what many club racers are used to. There are some very good strategy books to help you learn and develop your skills such as practicing transits, holding station and increasing acceleration.
- Always make sure you have a rule book on hand as you never quite sure when you'll be needing it.
- Keeping energy levels high is a must in some of the more grueling events so its always a good idea to have snacks and fluid on hand. Torq are a favourite with the P&B staff as they provide gels, drinks and bars which all boost energy levels. Even after a days sailing Torq also provide a recovery drink which the P&B team swear by.
- So your boat is perfect, set up correctly, you have the right clothing, and your fully prepared for any eventuality, now you just have to think about the racing. It's always a good idea to have a vision of what you want to achieve before hand and although you may stray from this path you will always be able to guage where you are in terms of your aims for the championships.
No doubt every sailor has a different method of preparation but there really is no right from wrong when it comes to getting ready for an event. Although some of what is on this list might come under common sense the tendency to forget something important is common practice. In that case we hope you find these tips helpful when you begin your own championship campaign. If you have any questions or if your looking for further advice regarding our championship preparations then contact
You can also see if our preparations are as good as our advice by following us on Facebook, liking us on Twitter and reading our weekly Blog to get all the latest results from this years championships...
