3.Definitions and Terminology

True Wind Direction: The instantaneous magnetic bearing of the true wind. Mean Wind Direction: The average true wind direction during the race. Tacking Angle: The angle through which the boat turns when changing from one tackto the next ( â‰ˆ 90 ).

4.Introduction4.1.Racing and wind shifts

Like most things in sailing, the wind does not remain constant in either strength or direction. The crew tend to react naturally to gusts but find wind shifts more difficult to detect. The wind does, however, tend to shift in regular patterns, oscillating between a back and a veer. These oscillations give the sailor a chance to gain an advantage by sailing a shorter distance to the upwind mark.In the diagram, the boat on the right sails a shorter course by tacking when headed and thereby sailing mostly in lifts.
Mean wind direction Wind veersWind veersWind backs Wind backs Wind backs Wind backs Wind veers 3