Preparation

Preparation - Crew

The psychological or mental condition of the crew

This varies at different times of the race. The mental prerequisites such as knowledge, endurance, a positive approach, and speed in thought and action may be acquired by experience so that great excitement before the start and other psychological reactions will not have an adverse effect on and cripple the performance of the boat.

The ability to use tactics correctly depends upon various mental, physical, and technical capabilities.

1. Seamanship. Good seamanship is the most basic necessity. The sailor who has not mastered all the arts of sailing, or who races with a scratch crew, will not be able to achieve the necessary tactics, even when he know's they are right.

2. Intelligence. This is essential when planning correct tactics. It can be subdivided as follows:

(a) Knowledge of tactics. If a man does not know what tactics can be used, or which should be employed in any given situation, he cannot indulge in an attacking duel with any hope of success, nor be able to defend himself against attack. Thus a basic knowledge of tactics is necessary.

(b) Creative initiative. In a fleet of comparable ability the majority of the crews will have a good knowledge of these basic tactics. Consequently, suitable variations must be found and used in order to catch an opponent on the wrong foot. It is important to wrest the initiative from him, thus forcing him on to the defensive or confusing him utterly.

c) The ability to react quickly. Knowledge is valueless without the ability to decide quickly upon a course of action during a race, and then immediately to put it into effect. A racing man must, like a chess-player, have in his mind all the moves open to himself as well as those that can be used by his opponent, and at the same time his reactions must be as quick as those of a table-tennis player in countering his opponent's tactics, so that, after making an attacking or defensive move, he must be prepared to counter or to renew his attack. Where two boats are dueling near a mark at the end of the windward leg, in certain situations a knowledge of tactics must be comprehensive, and the successful boat will be the one which can, to the last, counter her opponent's every defensive move with a new attack, or defend herself effectively against every attack by her opponent.

(d) A positive approach. Every racing man must try to sail a race according to his own plans, and not allow his opponent to take the initiative.

(e) Determination. Reliability and confidence should be classed together with this. The crew must be reliable to the last. Even in an apparently hopeless situation the helmsman must be able to depend upon their maximum efficiency. Equally, the crew must have confidence in the reliability of the helmsman. He must not allow the care with which he sails the boat to flag, or relax his racing tactics; he must not lose heart, even if he is at the back of the fleet or were to lose the lead shortly before the finish. He must not become careless or lose concentration if a long lead has been established. He should never neglect the basic principles, but always race sensibly, calmly, and efficiently.

(f) Physical Strength. Only a man who has the necessary physical strength to cope with all tactical moves, and who is able to maintain his strength throughout a race, will be successful.

(g) Mental Reserves. No less important than physical reserves are mental reserves. To be able to use tactics successfully throughout a race, be it over a triangular course of an hour's duration or an ocean race lasting twenty days, a man must be in the peak of condition, and be able to call on great reserves of mental and physical strength and resolution, enabling him to carry out any tactic, regardless of being cold, wet, tired, afraid, excited, or seasick.


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