The run

On the way back in the direction of the starting/finishing line the yachts sail downwind. The spinnakers are set: the larger sail surface area ensures a higher speed. The leading boat must now take care that it does not have the wind blocked off by the trailing yacht. The cover of the trailing boat has an effect up to a distance of twelve boat lengths.

Downwind Options

Downwind tactics are dependent on wind speed and also good crew work. A good hoist can make a small lead into one that can be defended. A poor hoist can take a good lead away.

In lighter airs, yachts will use asymmetrical spinnakers. The apparent wind angle will be forward of 90 degrees. In order to affect another boat the trailing boat will need to get forward of bow to bow. In heavier air the apparent wind angle will be further aft making it easier to affect the lead boat's air.

Asymmetric gybes in light air have a high risk of the sail getting wrapped. The bad air in light winds also extends astern and to leeward making it hard for a trailing boat to establish an overlap from astern and keeping it.

Blue can trail Yellow and hope to affect the lead boat's air. The second option is to gybe and to hope for better wind on the left side of the course that Yellow cannot catch if Yellow does not also gybe and stay close to Blue.

Blue decides to gybe, Yellow gybes at the same time in order to keep close.

Blue decides she is unable to get onto Yellow's air, so gybes again. Yellow again follows suit and gybes in front, protecting the starboard tack.

Crew work is very important in defending a small lead down wind. Gybes are expensive and risky, so gybing less on the run is usually enough to increase or hold a lead.

Rules and strategy in Match Racing

- Source: Oracle BMW Racing