Thanks for another fun and fast lap, Hotlaps Team!
I believe it is Loo who designed that technical course. Well done
I enjoyed sailing this course on the Flying Shadow as one really needs to anticipate on each mark to keep the boat in a good flow.
The wind is brisk, so speed is not an issue. You will have lots of foiling time! (Indeed, I made it almost on par with the Nacra)
The timing about when to raise and drop the spinnaker will be key to keep speed up and clock a fast lap
Here is my take on the course with the Flying Shadow:
Pre-Start
I start from the NE corner of PASTICHE sim, on a beam reach going Westward.
Then, I gybe as far West as possible in MOONBERRY, so I have room to accelerate to max speed (or almost) as I head back E-SE towards the line.
On the FS, there is time to raise the spin. But make sure to lower it before the start line. It is a bit tricky because of the simcross.
Start
Head directly to 1st mark in JERSHAW, keeping starting speed up. Given the 21-knots wind speed, it is OK to have both sails luffing a bit when sailing solo. Speed should remain above 20 knots.
Raise spin as you round the buoy. You may have to drop it before passing the NE corner of GHULFFOOT, then you may or may not keep it up to the next mark.
If spin up, drop it as you enter NAUTILUS-ALONIM, so you are ready to pull the sheets as you head NE after the buoy. I recommend again not to pull the sheets too tight until the 1st tack, to maintain speed momentum.
Push NE until crossing into VON LUCKNER, then tack towards the next mark in GLIRM. This is the close-hauled leg.
Tack again around the buoy and head towards mark #4, still close-hauled.
A 3rd tack takes you around the mark, and you may ease the sheets as you go on a beam reach towards the next mark (#5).
Raise the spin just before getting to the buoy so you bear away smoothly around it.
Beware of the high grounds in GLIRM. I prefer to pass slightly North of the islet, not quite on a direct route to mark #6.
Drop the spin after you cross into LEMINOLA, just before mark #6.
Pull the sheets gently as you head up towards mark #7. Again, it is OK to have both sails luffing very slightly. That shouldn’t penalize your speed.
The final is straight-forward: sail as close to the pier next to mark #7 and ease your sheets as you bear away to beam reach towards the finish line.
Well done, you made it!
