OPTIMIST STRATEGYDownwind Strategy
Sail Toward Pressure Downwind
On the run, speed beats angle — steer into the dark water (more wind), because pressure pays for the slightly longer path.
Downwind, the boat in more breeze almost always wins, because extra pressure turns straight into boat speed. So look behind for approaching dark water and steer to ride the puffs, even when that path is a little longer than the rhumb line. A boat that sits in the lighter patch sails a straighter line but stalls and falls behind. Keep checking — puffs drift down the course, so the breeze you want is a moving target.
Opens the animation on the boat-length grid — run it well, then brief it from the same picture. Free, no account needed.
What to call out
- Look behind for approaching dark water and steer to ride the puffs — pressure is speed downwind.
- Stay in the breeze even if the path is slightly longer, because the extra wind pays for the distance.
- Gybe to chase a clearly stronger patch rather than letting it slide past on the other side.
- Keep checking behind — puffs move down the course, so the best pressure keeps shifting.
downwindpressurepuffsdark waterspeedvmg