Rounding the Top Mark In any race there are certain hot- spots where significant distance can be gained or lost. One of these is in the vicinity of the top mark, particularly on the first beat. The fleet is generally congested and tend to arrive in a clump. It can be an area of anxiety where things go awry and have a dramatic effect on our race. We have this situation with the closing up of the fleet in a concentrated area around the top mark with boats in close vicinity jostling for position. Then we have to turn the corner amongst all this mayhem and set a spinnaker which is a relative complicated manoeuvre in itself. Acute tactics, boatspeed and crew-work all have a significant role to play. Tactics There are two aspects to the tactical consideration, the approach and the exit. A good mark rounding’s merit is judged by the result that once around you are heading where you want to go at reasonable speed in relatively clean air. Approaching the top mark, keep clear lanes if you can.
