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By Rick White
What if the next leg is a reach
For the most part the lead boat around the weather mark wants to head right for the mark and trim the sails for the heading taken. However, often a boat behind will try to pass to windward. Normally that boat will seem faster, since it is pointing higher.
What should you do?
If it appears that the boat behind does not have enough speed to pass, then you should head for the reaching mark and stay as close to the rhumb line as possible. (See Diagram 1).
On the other hand, if the passing boat shows signs that he might have enough speed to pass, you must stay between that competitor and the next mark. This means you must head up higher and reach the same speed as the following boat. That way it should not be able to pass. (See Diagram 2)