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2002 Tactics Seminar PDF Print E-mail
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Saturday, 02 February 2002 09:36
The First Fleet One Rules and Tactics Seminar was held on Sunday, February 10, 2002 at the StFYC. The event was an overwhelming success with over 100 particpants attending the all day seminar. Rules luminary Dick Rose first provided a structural analysis and explanation of theRacing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004 with an insightful commentary on the intent of the framers. Mark Reynolds then applied these basic principals to two-boat, boat on boat racing tactics and the impact of the rules at the start, upwind, mark rounding, downwind, rounding and finish. Tom Roberts then illustrated the rules in effect in multiple boat situations drawn from actual J105 incidents from past protest room hearings. Finally, top Fleet One skippers Phil Perkins of Good Timin', Peter Wagner of Nantucket Sleighride and Jeff Littfin of Wind Dance provided insights on how they run a successful campaign and critical elements in sailing to the top of the Fleet. Many thanks to event organizers Dave Tambellini, Norman Devant, Don Trask and Jeff Thorpe and all the people that made it a success. The next seminar is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2002 with Dave Perry slated as the primary speaker.

Fleet Captain David Tambellini welcomes Fleet One to the Seminar An overflow crowd of more than 100 owners and crew attended the first of two rules and tactics seminars to be held at the StFYC.
Tom Roberts illustrates rules application in an interactive fleet situation discussion.
Dick Rose explains the Racing Rule of Sailing 2001 - 2004 to the attendees. Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Reynolds shares race strategy & tactics
"Okay guys, what do you think is the most important thing to do to be in the top of the Fleet?"...asked Norman Devant of Quantum Sails.

Fleet One Season Champion for 2000 and 2001 Phil Perkins of Good Timin':

"We try to use our hole to leeward at the start to have speed at the gun rather than position on the line without speed. This allows us to nose out in that first few minutes and 100 yards to get clear air and the abiity to go the the favored side of the course."

Peter Wagner of Nantucket Sleighride who in thier first year in the fleet and first year on SF Bay finished fourth, two points behind Wind Dance.:

"We try to sail conservatively on the first leg and a quarter. We try not to win the first leg, but to be in the top five. From there, we feel we can pick up one boat per leg. By being in that first group, we can stretch out from the fleet. We try not to make big mistakes because where you are going down that first downwind leg is pretty much where you finish. We are also most proud of when we recover from a disaster and go from 30th to 8th or 9th."
Jeff Littfin of Wind Dance who finished third in the Fleet in 2001:

"We also try to sail conservatively. We try to keep the big picture in mind and plan ahead two or three moves so that we have a clear lane with clear air going to the side of the course we want to be on. A lot of times, we will not press our rights boat on boat in order to be in a better overall fleet position. Once you get in that top group, you don't worry about single boats as much as separting from the fleet. There is plenty of time later to work on the boats around you."