An Introduction to

WORDS: JAMIE BOAG

n 1851, when the first America’s Cup took place, the yacht America crossed the line first. When Queen Victoria asked “Who was second?”, the signal master famously replied, “Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second”. In match racing, there is only a winner – and a loser.

This piece is the first in what we aim to be a continuing series describing the art of match racing (and it is an art), delving into the finer points of tactics and strategy over the coming months.

Most sailors who race in Hong Kong and around the world typically participate in fleet racing, either in handicap or one design formats, around windward/leeward, harbour or coastal courses. There are, however, other formats in our sport that can engage and test a crew’s tactics, boat handling and teamwork. Match racing is probably the best known of these alternative formats made famous by the America’s Cup and the World Match Racing Tour.

It has been described as chess on water and is the only format in sailing where the crew of one boat pits their wits against just one other crew in a matching boat.

Format and Flights

The format is simple. One against one in similar boats around a short course, with on water umpires to adjudicate in the moment. The result is that, with certain exceptions, whoever crosses the finish line first, wins the match. There is no second.

The series is more akin to a tennis or rugby tournament with matches being organised in a round robin type format, or even expanding to leagues or groups. The winning matches count and the top of each round robin, league or group then proceed through to quarters, semis and finals.

Round Robin

Flight 1

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 9 0 4 2 0 2 0 8 3 0 5 0 3 4 0 1 0 7 Bye 6-10

Flight 2

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 5 0 2 2 0 7 0 3 3 0 1 0 9 4 0 10 0 6 Bye 4-8

Flight 3

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 3 0 9 2 0 7 0 5 3 0 4 0 10 4 0 8 0 6 Bye 1-2

Flight 4

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 9 0 5 2 0 8 0 4 3 0 1 0 10 4 0 6 0 2 Bye 3-7

Flight 5

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 1 0 8 2 0 3 0 10 3 0 6 0 4 4 0 7 0 2 Bye 5-9

Flight 6

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 9 0 6 2 0 5 0 1 3 0 7 0 4 4 0 3 0 2 Bye 8-10

Flight 7

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 9 0 7 2 0 4 0 2 3 0 8 0 3 4 0 10 0 5 Bye 1-6

Flight 9

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 9 0 8 2 0 2 0 10 3 0 4 0 1 4 0 6 0 3 Bye 5-7

Flight 8

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 2 0 9 2 0 10 0 7 3 0 8 0 5 4 0 6 0 1 Bye 3-4

Flight 10

MATCH BOATS Blue BOATS Yellow

1 0 10 0 8 2 0 3 0 1 3 0 5 0 4 4 0 7 0 6 Bye 2-9

The Course

The course is a windward/leeward with boats generally racing 2 laps. Unlike most fleet racing, the course is rounded to starboard, giving the boat behind more opportunities if they are close at the top mark, with distances for legs being set by time depending on conditions rather than distance. A typical match race should take between 15 and 20 minutes. Short and sharp.

The start line length is also typically set by time rather than distance and, depending on the boats being used, it should typically take 30-45 seconds to sail the length of the line. Short and sharp again.

The Start

Unlike a normal fleet race start, each competitor must enter the start zone within a specific time. The zone is normally called ‘the box’ and its layout is thought of as a letter “H”.

• To start a flight of match races, the race committee makes a sound signal and displays the attention signal (code flag F) at 10 minutes before the first start. • At 5 minutes before the start of a match, the race committee will display the warning signal with a sound signal. Numeral pennant 1 is used as the warning signal for the first match, numeral pennant 2 for the second match, numeral pennant 3 for the third match and so on.

• 4 minutes before the start of a match, the race committee will display the preparatory signal (code flag P). From this point onward, the boats in the match are racing.

Entering The Start Zone

• At the 4-minute preparatory signal, both boats must be outside the lines that form the “H” with the starting line. The boat entering from the left side, on port tack, is assigned the identifying colour blue and she must display a blue flag at her stern. The other boat enters from the right side, on starboard tack and she is assigned the identifying colour yellow and must display a yellow flag at her stern.

• The sides from which the boats enter are determined by the format as described in the schedule or flight list.

• Each boat must enter the pre-start area (the box), by crossing the start line for the first time from the course side of the line. If either boat does not enter within the 2-minute period after the preparatory signal, they will receive a penalty.

• If a boat enters too early (i.e. before the preparatory signal), they will also receive a penalty.

• Part of the game is to enter correctly and on time. If your opponent is late entering the box, then you would try to prevent them from entering the pre-start area on time. This does happen occasionally and it is a legitimate strategy.

It may seem very complicated but, once you have done this a few times, it becomes second nature and is the first point of engagement and tactics between the teams. Heart rates rise, umpires are hawkeyed and the next phase of the game can start – trying to out-manoeuvre your opponent, give penalties to your opponent or simply ensure that you start protecting the side of the course that you feel is favoured.

In further articles, we will discuss the various tactics and strategies to employ at different phases of the race, but it is important to make one final point. A match race is still a yacht race and, like in any other yacht race, you must be solid in your preparation, concentrate on your boat speed, be aware of the shifts on the course and be impeccable with your crew work and communication.

THE COURSE

Windward Mark

Leeward Mark

Start and Finish Line

Pre-start Area C

C

C

1

“The Box”

Start Flag 1

Anchor chain

C

C