Stamford Performance Racing Seminar - Wrap Up

Описание: Stamford Yacht Club Seminar | Wrap-Up & What Comes Next
Friday wasn’t the finish line.
It was the starting line.
This seminar was designed to create clarity, shared language, and momentum—so improvement becomes intentional, repeatable, and enjoyable. Below is a quick recap of what we covered on the water and in the room, followed by ways sailors and teams can continue building after the seminar.

⚓ What We Covered in the Seminar
Upwind Speed & Trim
Why consistent heel angle = speed, and how top boats “lock it in”


Depowering in the correct order: people → sails → rudder


How to respond correctly to puffs vs. lulls (and when not to tack)


Weather helm targets and why too much helm is just a brake


Rig setup fundamentals, including why a tight headstay wins in breeze


Downwind Performance
“Pull” vs. “push” mode and why flow still matters downwind


Spinnaker trim fundamentals: pressure, curl, and constant adjustment


Symmetric vs. asymmetric strategy in different wind ranges


Broach causes and a step-by-step recovery protocol


Starts
Racing the line, not the fleet


Building and protecting the gap to leeward


Line bias, pin vs. RC boat risks, and anti-barging realities


Tactical tools like scooping and the deep hook


Strategy, Tactics & Mark Roundings
Clear communication loops and factual performance calls


Managing leverage and “course capital”


Smart gate decisions and rounding philosophy: inside or alone


Why it’s faster to round clean than heroic


Preparation & Practice
Winning before the start by being the first boat out


Written crew processes (“dance cards”) for consistency


High-impact drills: timed tacks, stop-and-go, reefing practice


Honest team assessment and the power of video review



🚩 What Comes Next with North U
North U Office Hours (Open Dock Time)
Monthly, informal Zoom sessions to:
Clarify concepts from the seminar


Talk through your sailing


Get guidance on roles, goals, and next steps

⛵ Performance Race Weeks
Immersive, multi-day programs combining coaching, practice, racing, and daily debriefs:
St. Thomas Performance Race Week (February & March)


St. Petersburg Performance Race Week – All Women


Austin Performance Race Week


Seattle Performance Race Week


Each built around the North U Performance Pyramid with clear objectives and measurable progress.

👥 Club, Team & Individual Coaching
On-the-water coaching using your boats


Fleet-based training and event prep


Onboard or remote individual coaching


Short intensives or season-long support


Real schedules. Real budgets. Real improvement.

💻 Online Learning & Community
Upcoming Racing Rules of Sailing discussion with Dave Perry


A new North U website launching soon with on-demand learning, recorded seminars, and clear pathways forward


Choose Your Path
Some sailors jump into Race Weeks.
Some bring coaching to their club.
Some start with office hours or online learning.
All of those work.
If this seminar sparked ideas or questions, we’d love to help you figure out what makes sense—no pressure, no assumptions.
Sail fast. Have fun.