In brief Every crossing is a strategic decision first. Decide where you want to go, then choose duck, lee-bow or early tack. Dirty air runs downwind of a boat along the apparent wind. Treat any position near another boat as conditional, not safe. Cover to limit a rival’s chances to gain while…

In brief The ladder explains the geometry of upwind gains. Boat speed, pressure, tide and manoeuvring decide how quickly each boat climbs it. Lateral separation is leverage. A shift turns it into gain or loss: 10 degrees on 200 metres of separation is about 35 metres of upwind height. In steady,…

In brief The start is the first execution of a plan for the first beat. Choose the end for the wind you expect when the boats next cross, not only for the wind at the starting signal. Each degree of bias is worth roughly one sixtieth of the line length in upwind separation. On a short line it…

How routing software turned offshore racing into a different game

Clear air is only the beginning. Here is everything else the first beat decides in offshore racing

The small changes in routing, helming and trim that make a big difference in similar IRC boats

Why AIS won't save you if your crew can't see

What’s Actually Slowing Your Boat Down Offshore?

CLEAR EACH ONE AND YOU START TO WIN

Why modern offshore races are won on the wave, not just the wind.

A FirstBeat Offshore Coaching Guide — lessons from the Solent and the RORC Easter Challenge (18–25 knots).

The rules offshore are very clear but there is an important difference offshore