This water sport consists of completing a tour in the shortest possible time, moving on water in boats driven solely by the force of the wind on their sails: sailboats, capable of reaching high speeds. Sailing, as a sport, can be recreational or competitive. There are three primary modalities of sailing competitions: Olympic triangles, ocean races, and regattas.
Sailors, who face changing weather conditions, must plan strategies to overtake the other competitors. Depending on the wind direction, they use different tactics. There are sailboats of many types, and the size, shape, and weight of the sail influence its performance. Some are designed to reach high speeds and change course quickly in short races, others, to support long and arduous ocean cruises.
Good navigators know the operation of their ships to the last detail. Rectifying the direction of a boat quickly or changing sails requires excellent skill, whether you are sailing alone or sailing with a crew.
Competitions
- Olympic triangle.Teams dispute the Olympic races. The route, in triangular form, is marked by buoys. Sailboats must take buoys in a certain order. The distance between the buoys varies according to the type of sailboats participating in the regatta.
- Regattas .Regattas are usually taking place in coastal waters, lakes, or lagoons. Sailors try to outperform their competitors on tour marked by buoys. The routes are defined so that navigators can use the most advanced navigation techniques.
- Oceanic.Races Oceanic races consist of completing an oceanic route between two points in the shortest possible time. The Europa 1 Star, for example, goes from Plymouth, in Great Britain, to Newport, in Rhode Island, United States. This solo regatta is full of adventures. The sailor must choose the best route to avoid not only storms but also windless areas. Once at sea, the navigator does not receive help or support of any kind.