Learning to Gain the Advantage in a Dinghy Sailing Race
When I first started racing a dinghy, I assumed the advantage went to whoever sailed fastest.
Experience (and a growing collection of bruised egos) has taught me otherwise.
In dinghy racing—especially on a river—the real advantage often comes from thinking, not hiking.
1. The Biggest Advantage: Starting Cleanly
You don’t win a race at the start, but you can absolutely lose it there.
On a river start line:
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The wind is rarely even
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The stream is always doing something unhelpful
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One end of the line is almost always better than the other
Advantage tip:
Get to the favoured end early, even if it means starting slightly slower. A clear lane beats perfect speed every time.
2. Sail the Wind You’ve Got, Not the Wind You Want
River sailing teaches humility quickly. Gusts arrive sideways, disappear behind trees, then reappear just as you commit to a tack.
Advantage tip:
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Watch the water, not just your sails
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Tack into pressure, not away from it
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If you’re lifting, keep going—don’t tack just because others do
The boat that tacks least often (while still going the right way) usually gains.
3. Height Is a Weapon (Used Carefully)
Pointing high feels slow. Until you look behind you.
Advantage tip:
Use height tactically:
On a narrow river, height can be more valuable than raw speed.
4. Boats Are Obstacles… and Opportunities
Every nearby boat affects your wind—and theirs.
Advantage tip:
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Don’t sail in bad air unless you choose to
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If you’re faster, pass decisively
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If you’re slower, sit in clear air and wait for a mistake
Half of racing is simply not being where the problems are.
5. Mark Rounding: Free Places for the Prepared
Most overtakes don’t happen on the beat. They happen at marks.
Advantage tip:
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Plan your approach early
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Give yourself room to manoeuvre
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Think two legs ahead, not one
A tidy, controlled rounding often gains you places without any shouting at all.
6. Use the River
Unlike lakes or the sea, rivers fight back.
Advantage tip:
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Less stream near the banks (usually)
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Eddies can help or hurt
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Sometimes sailing further is actually quicker
The river rewards those who look up and think.
7. Race the Course, Not the Fleet
It’s tempting to fixate on that one boat you must beat.
Advantage tip:
Sail your own race.
Stick to your plan.
Let others make the mistakes.
The advantage often comes from being quietly consistent while others unravel.
Final Thought
Racing isn’t about being aggressive—it’s about being deliberate.
The best advantage you can gain in a dinghy race is simple:
Be calm, be observant, and be ready to change your mind.
And yes… occasionally that means tacking when nobody else does.
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