For many of us, mid-summer means light air. Racing in light air is a special challenge. Doing well makes the experience much more satisfying than doing poorly...Cruising in light air means easy livin’. With proper technique, you’ll only have to resort to the noisy boat shaker sail in the lightest conditions. Following are a few thoughts on improving performance in light air.

Upwind Trim

• Speed first. Get the boat moving by footing off 5° to 10° below your regular closehauled course. Set the sails with powerful shapes by moving the jib leads forward and easing the backstay and outhaul. To encourage flow, trim with extra twist by easing the mainsheet and jibsheet a few inches (or more) from full trim. As speed builds, trim in and head up gradually, but don’t get greedy. Pointing too high will stop the boat in its tracks, particularly in chop, and send you back to start the speed-build process all over again.