Working the foredeck

I have spent the last couple of seasons working up the bow of the yacht after our previous foredeck crew were constantly costing us races. After winning the start and being first to the windward mark only to end up last after a poor spinnaker raise undoes all of the good windward work. It needed to change and it needed to change really fast - it couldn't keep going on like this.

Counting down the start is imperative for aggressive positioning in the fleet, a poor start means you spend the rest of the race trying to catch up instead of consolidating your position. I see getting a clear start as the key role of the foredeck crew; they have an unrivaled view of the start line and the other yachts as you maneuver for position in the pre-start period.

This is not only from the time the five minute gun sounds but the pre-start positioning and maneuvering but after the start the foredeck crew spend most of their time sitting on the side providing ballast. However, a knowledge of sailing and tactics ensures you get heard and providing input to the race.