Keep Leverage in Check
Lean toward the favoured side to build leverage, but once your shift pays off, sail back toward the fleet to shrink the leverage and bank the gain — don't stay the loneliest boat on the course.
Leverage is the cross-course separation between you and the fleet: the more you have, the more a shift in your favour gains — and the more an unfavourable one loses. Favouring the better side to build a little leverage is smart, but staying out there indefinitely is a gamble, especially in a slow Optimist where you can't recover if you're wrong. The disciplined move is to take your leverage, wait for your shift or pressure to pay, and then tack back toward the fleet to shrink the separation and lock the gain in as a safe lead. Match how much leverage you carry to how confident you are — and never become the loneliest boat on the course.
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
- Favour the better side but keep the fleet in view, because unlimited leverage is a gamble in a slow opti.
- After you connect with your shift or pressure, reduce leverage by sailing back toward the fleet, because that banks the gain.
- Don't be the loneliest boat, because if you're wrong out there you can't recover.
- Match leverage to confidence, because the size of your bet should fit how sure you are of the side.