The basics of match racing

Two sailing yachts race against each other in a unique duel - that is Match Racing. The special aspect of the race is the fact that the crews attempt to force their opponents into an disadvantageous position by means of tactical craftmanship even before the start.

Match racing is considered to be the most aggressive form of regatta sailing and requires not only great tactical talent but also good sailing skills. Key situations, tactical options and the rules of match racing will here be demonstrated in written form as well as in pictures. If you are not familiar with sailing, you will also find the most crucial basics.

The Match Race Course

The America's Cup course has a total length of 18.5 nautical miles or the equivalent of 34 kilometres. At the end of each leg a buoy is placed. Both buoys have to be rounded three times. Therefore the boats have to alternate between sailing upwind (on the beat) and downwind (on the run).

The starting and finishing line are identical and measure 275 meters. In the direction of the wind behind the starting line is the area in which pre-start maneuvers are conducted (start box). This is where the extremely important and spectacular battle for the best starting position is taking place.

Basics

The course that a sailing boat takes is described by its relative position to the direction of the wind. If the wind comes directly from behind, it is called downwind course. If the wind comes directly from the front, it is called upwind course. “To luff” means that the bow is being turned further toward the wind. The opposite is called “to bear away.”

Moreover, we differentiate between “port tack” and “starboard tack.” These terms refer to the side of the boat over which the wind is coming. If the wind comes over the left hand side of the boat (port), we talk about "a boat sailing on port tack" – in the other case we talk about "starboard tack.”

Right of Way

Fig. 1: Starboard tack (yellow) has right of way over port tack (blue);
Fig. 2: Leeward (yellow) over windward boat (blue);
Fig. 3: Boat clear ahead (yellow) over boat clear astern (blue).


The racing rules are designed to prevent collisions, and, therefore, one sailboat is given right of way over the other depending on the situation. The very basic and most often used rules are:

1. A starboard tack sailboat (wind coming over the right side of the sailboat) has right of way over a port tack sailboat (wind coming over the left side of the sailboat).

2. When both sailboats are on the same tack, the leeward sailboat (the one further away from the wind) has right of way over the windward sailboat (the one closer to the wind).

3. When both sailboats are on the same tack, the sailboat clear ahead has right of way over the yacht clear astern.

The boat that has the right of way has to give the other boat enough room to maneuver. This means it must leave the competing boat enough room and time to keep clear. For example, the boat that has the right of way has to stay on a collision course for a certain amount of time so that the opponent can react.

Pre-Start

- Source: Oracle BMW Racing