TAKING IT OFFSHORE SHORT-HANDED PLAYBOOK PART 4
A key attraction of double-handed and solo racing for many people lies in the mental challenge of how to perform, often over a long period, when faced with finite resources. While a fully crewed boat can optimise every aspect of performance during a race, short-handed boats must prioritise the key tasks that will give the biggest payback in relation to effort.
The benefits that effective resource management can bring helps explain why skippers in their 50s can remain competitive even in intensely physical oceanic or round-the-world races. On the other hand badly over tired or hungry sailors are slow, ponderous, make mistakes and can’t concentrate well. Poor management of sleep and nutrition can therefore quickly lead to making significant mistakes. Therefore this management is just as critical as boat set up and pre-race preparation.
RISK MANAGEMENT
This applies in two senses – the usual strategic and tactical context of managing gains vs risk relative to the fleet and racecourse, plus an extra layer of safety considerations.
There are few people who have in depth knowledge and experience of every role on an offshore raceboat – so have a frank discussion about where each of your strengths and
