Growing Team Racing

Two days ago we posted an article about SCIRA Team Race, a Promotion Committee initiative. BUT What is Team Racing? Why Team Racing and how do we learn about Team Racing?

By Gavin O’Hare

WHAT is Team Racing?

• Each race is a match between two teams comprised of multiple boats

1. Typically 3 or 4 boats per team, but 2v2 (last-place-loses) works too!

• The winning team is the one with the lower total finish:

1. 1+4+5 (10 points) beats 2+3+6 (11 points)
2. 2+3+4 (9 points) beats 1+5+6 (12 points)

• Team races are typically short in duration: 6 – 15 minutes per race
• For more basics: http://www.boating.co.nz/sailing/teams_racing_tactics.shtml

…

 

WHY Team Race?

• FUN and EXCITING!
• Something new and different for fleet racing veterans
• A mechanism to attract new/young members to a yacht / sailing club:

1. Young veterans of high school and college sailing veterans know (and love) it
2. Its pace and social nature attract sailors to clubs that feature / support it

• Works in all types of one-designs: dinghies and keelboats
• Offers a unique opportunity to combine different generations and skill levels on the race course
• Does not require new boats, new sails or tuning expertise to win…boatspeed is not that important
• Encourages working together / sharing information about sailing / coaching each other
• It is NOT about the trophy…it is about the FUN
• It is impossible to have a boring team race
• If you lose a race, the next race is just minutes away!
• Did we mention is it FUN!

HOW do we learn about Team Racing?

• Pursue an introduction to Team Racing

1. Check out a Team Race

• In person, spectating or crewing

1. See Video or Animation: http://home.earthlink.net/~musicgirl/ctr2013/ctr.html
2. Have someone lead an “introduction to team racing” clinic

• Let ISAF/World Sailing direct you to a local Team Racing spark plug:

1. Someone who knows the game (See Tactics & Strategy) http://www.sailing.org/new-to-sailing/team-racing.php#.VyigQvkrLq4

• Contact Gavin O’Hare [email protected] to find a local spark plug / trainer in or near YOUR club.

LET’S GET STARTED!

• Let us help you organize a team racing clinic
• Challenge a rival club to one afternoon of team racing in 6 boats (of any one type)
• Organize a weekly evening series amongst a group of clubs (ask us about the “Summer Solstice” format)
• Keep racing simple:

1. Use whatever boats are already around
2. Minimize the race support personnel & equipment…the course does not need to be perfect
3. Stay away from long protests: use “3 Minute Justice”:

• Contact Gavin O’Hare [email protected] to find out more

1. Make up Ad hoc teams, and if one team wins a few races, re-equalize the teams
2. Match up experienced team racers with less experienced team racers
3. De-briefs after racing keep everyone learning and psyched

• Contact volunteers for tools/resources available: http://www.ussailing.org/about-us/committee-directory/team-racing-committee/ l

Reach Out For Help/Advice/Contacts: [email protected]