Team Volvo Tips - Laser Gybing with Nick Thompson

The 2015 and 2016 Laser World Champion Nick Thompson talks about his approach to training, racing and working on weaknesses. "I think if there is one thing that’s different between now and a few years ago is my confidence downwind. I now completely trust myself and look for passing opportunities at all times. Whereas before, perhaps I was looking to sail a little bit more defensively.

Gybe-hoisting is a tricky manoeuvre to get right, but there can be great tactical reasons for giving it a go. Here are FIVE of the biggest reasons to consider going for this challenging but potentially rewarding move on the race course. This applies mainly to asymmetric dinghies, but there are some valid lessons here for all sailors....

49er legend and America's Cup helmsman Chris Draper reveals what high-performance sailors can do to make your gybes not only faster but safer...

Gybing technique is one of the toughest and most critical elements of skiff sailing, but Trevor Baylis (world champion in 14s, 18s and 505) has some ideas that will help make heavy-air gybing a whole lot safer. "Whatever type of skiff you’re gybing, I’m a firm believer that the helm should be last person in and first person out. My thinking on this is that, like in mountain biking, it’s better to be completely out of control for a tenth of a second than vaguely out of control for 10 seconds. So if the helmsman can minimise his time through the boat, the safer you’ll be...."

In sailboat racing there are four fundamental boathandling skills you must master: tacking, gybing, spinnakers sets, and spinnaker douses. Until you have these down, you can’t really begin to focus on developing front row boat speed....

Audio (5 minutes): Paul Goodison shares his philosophy on tactics with Jon Emmett. The 2008 Olympic Champion and 2016 & 2017 Moth World Champion has some excellent insights into how to come out on top in tight boat-to-boat situations. There are some great tips here which apply to any racing boat, whatever its speed...