By the end of 2002, Bart’s sailing and his results had gone downhill. “I ended up trying to beat Ben rather than trying to sail my best.” He took himself to a psychologist. “I wasn’t thinking the right things. He taught me to refocus on sailing the best you can rather than trying to beat anyone else. He helped get my brain back on track, and I made some steps forwards, focusing on improving my own performance rather than worrying about anyone else.”

Could there be any reason to believe that a team that had just finished 52nd in the Star World Championships had any hope of winning a medal at the Olympic Games later in the year? On the face of it that question seems like a no-brainer. How could any team have serious designs on a top three at the Games, let along winning gold? But if you know that the team in question is Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, and you know anything of what these sailors have achieved, then you might change your view.

Upwind Race Geometry: Why you need to understand the importance of the 'ladder rungs', the rhumb line, and building leverage.....

Having a fast boat is not just about being fastest through the water in a straight line. It’s about being able to hang in there off a congested start line, about getting up to pace quickly out of a tack or a gybe. All these considerations were high on Terry Hutchinson’s list in his successful bid to win the 2008 TP52 Circuit, one in which Quantum Racing has continued to excel...

Shortest Distance #2: How to make sure you’re sailing the least possible amount of distance by always being on the lifted tack, and why trading height for speed on the upwind leg is rarely worth it.....