THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF

M-SCOW RACING

BY SCOTT CALLAHAN

Boat Speed, Technique, Strategy, Tactics and Attitude. Once mastered, there is no stopping you. Let's take a look at each individual element.

Boat Speed. Everyone wants it. It is the straight line speed or pointing ability which separates you from the pack. Generally, it requires the right tuning, the right sails and smoothness to all surfaces.

Technique is mastering your craft. We're talking crew work. We're taking practice. The better you can tack, jibe, set the pole, round the mark, etc., the more it will improve your boat speed. For example, when I was around 15 years old, I sailed Lasers quite a bit. After mastering my boat handling by spending countless hours sailing, the summer season was upon me. The local Laser fleet on a typical summer Saturday numbered 60 strong. This intimidated me, as a young sailor, not knowing much about tactics and strategy. The one thing I knew was what my father told me, which was "follow that guy (Runnie Colie); he's a good sailor". Due to the fact that my technique and boat speed were honed in to a high level, I could stay with the best of them. In those races, I would finish well.

Strategy. A sixth sense, a feeling or intuition, or simply knowing the way to go. In other terms, strategy is sailing where the wind, current and other elements are to your maximum favor. For example, in an E-Scow Easterns sailed on Cedar Creek course on Barnegat Bay, somewhere between Toms River and Barnegat Light, there is a vast area of shallow water. We were leading the race and as quickly as we led, we fell back deep into the fleet due to a sand bar. Boats were passing us on both sides. As we rounded the weather mark somewhere in the mid 20's or of 40 or so, we were frustrated with our position, to say the least. Running downwind did not improve our position. By the leeward mark, I noticed a blackening sky to the west. Probably because we had much to gain and very little to lose, we headed for the ominous clouds. As most sailors would head back to the fleet, our convictions were strong. We continued on and on. Finally, a 45 degree shift and doubling in wind velocity. We tacked, reached to the weather mark to pass all of the fleet still sailing in a light breeze, and won the race.

Tactics is the relationship between you and the other boats. Often tactics can make the difference between finishing 1st or 2nd or 12th or 15th. This is done by positioning yourself between the finish and the other boats and using the rules properly. For example, in the mid 80's we were racing scows on Toms River, with Cliff Campbell leading the race. We were a close second with no one else in sight. Tack for tack he covered us, not letting us gain an inch. After 10 or so tacks I noticed an A-Cat to windward. My plan was to use him as a blocker. Once Campbell crossed the transom of the A-Cat, we tacked. The A-Cat became a barrier, preventing him from tacking back. This freed us from his covering. We eventually overcame him to win.

Attitude. As in anything that you do, whether it's pleasure or work related, your attitude will have an effect on what you're doing. It's good to be a realist, to know your strengths and weaknesses, but it is very important to have an upbeat outlook on the race or regatta. I remember when I was 17, we used to pull into the regatta, put the stereo speakers on the roof of the car and turn up the volume. We tried to sell an image that we were invincible. We tried to psyche out the competition before we even hit the water. Looking back at this, the competition probably didn't even notice. But what it did do was it did psyche us up for the race.

By mastering these five elements, you will be assured a winning performance. There is no such thing as good luck, only bad luck. Preparation, planning and attention to detail will eliminate the element of chance.