What if ...
By
Rick White

What if you are approaching the last leeward mark...

Here you are just behind the boat you have to beat. It is the last leeward mark rounding and you have no one of importance (that is, someone you have to beat) close behind you.
Whatever you do, be sure you do a very good enter-wide, exit-close mark rounding, as we have talked about in previous issues. Your object is to control that lead boat from behind (in other words, we want to pin the boat into a position that he cannot get out of).
If you perform an excellent mark rounding, you will find yourself aft and to windward of the lead boat. Be sure to stay up high and in clear air – you do not want to get down into his backwinded air or this maneuver is doomed.(See Diagram 1)
From this position you probably won’t pass, but be patient and stay in this relative position – in this way your competitor cannot tack. Normally, you would sail no further than the inside layline to the finish, but in this case we must beat this boat, and this boat only. So, don’t worry about the inside layline. As a matter of fact when you reach the outside layline, continue on.
Carry the other boat well past the outside layline before you tack, keeping in mind that he cannot tack until you do. Once past the layline and you both tack, your competitor will have to follow you to the finish line as you both reach back. (See Diagram 2)
Keep in mind that if there are competitors behind you that you need to cover, this will not work. More about that problem next month.