| Sailing - A book review | | | | big-fleet racing that is typical of the Laser class, |
| Here is my review on this book "The Complete | | | | places are gained or lost at the marks within |
| Introduction to Laser Racing" by Ben | | | | seconds. Being able to pass the boats at the |
| Tan.(ISBN9971-88-759-2). | | | | marks involve not only superior boat handling, but |
| This 260 pages book is a very comprehensive | | | | also a sound knowledge but also a sound |
| book which will appeal to both novice and | | | | knowledge of the racing rules and a war chest of |
| competent Laser sailors. There are 15 chapters, | | | | tactical tricks. |
| of which 8 chapters are written by the author, | | | | The next two chapters cover the topics wind |
| namely Dr Ben Tan. The rest of the chapters are | | | | patterns and currents. It shows how geography |
| contributed by other prominent Laser sailors who | | | | and land forms affect the wind strength and how |
| are champions in their own right. Steve Cockerill, a | | | | the sailors can capitalize on this knowledge to |
| very experienced Laser sailor also contributed a | | | | have an edge over other sailors. Tide tables give |
| chapter entitled "Preparing the Laser". | | | | us a large-scale impression of the strength and |
| The first chapter outlines the reasons that the | | | | the directions of the currents. Contour maps |
| Laser becomes the choice of sailors in | | | | show the underwater topography, but do not |
| competitive racing. Laser racing can raced | | | | indicate current directions. |
| competitively up to the Olympics . even the | | | | Sailing fitness and sailing nutrition is also covered. |
| veterans races are well participated. Laser sailors | | | | These few pages show the right exercises to |
| can sail competitively up to older years. | | | | develop the right muscles that will give the sailors |
| The next few chapters cover the various | | | | the added tenacity to last the many races that |
| aspects of boat rigging, sail tuning, racing | | | | the regatta required. Nutrition also play a big part |
| techniques. A sailor can clearly understands how | | | | especially before the races and during the races. |
| the boom vang (kicker) and mainsheet tension, | | | | One important chapter covers the psychology |
| cunningham (downhaul) and outhaul affect the sail | | | | behind a champion sailor. Physical fitness is |
| trim. For e.g. the Cunningham affect the upper | | | | imperative to last a regatta over a few days. |
| third of the sail. The middle third of the sail is | | | | Even more critical is the sailor's mental preparation |
| controlled by the boom vang (kicker) and the | | | | and mental fitness. |
| lower third is determined by the outhaul. It shows | | | | The author close the book with a chapter on how |
| the sailors how to trim the boat in different wind | | | | to plan a training program to prepare for the |
| conditions. In light wind wind, the sail should be | | | | regattas. |
| fuller. In strong wind, the sail should be as flat as | | | | Overall, the book contains many tips which the |
| possible to spill the wind at the top of the sail. | | | | serious sailors can take home to improve their |
| When sailing upwind, the sailor need to hike out in | | | | skills and bring their sailing to a higher level. |
| order to keep the boat as flat as possible. With a | | | | I hope you had enjoyed reading the book review. |