After sailing several laps, I can say that it is a fun one, but watch out and sail safely as there are several hazards along the way
I can already count several beaching of my boats: in the shallow waters before the start, after the start and coming back on the run, but also on the islands at and around mark #2.
But that is not all: I also made an encounter with a mark (#1), scraped the wreck by mark #4, and hit the out-of-world limit.
I know, that is a lot for someone regarded as a "good" sailor. But you got to do what you got to do to push the limits and sail faster, and then share with your fellow Hotlappers
Indeed, even if these unwanted events cost me some time along my tries, this has helped me find some good routes to sail this lap.
First tip though was given to me by none other than Bianca: seeing me struggling on my FS to time the perfect tack just before the starting line, she wisely pointed that the marina is open-ended and one can start much more leisurely sailing through it. Thanks again, Bianca
So after starting on a tight beat, you need to work on those tacks to get to the open waters: the start-line channel is narrow and shallow, so timing and bearings are key, especially in larger, deeper boats.
First tack is somewhere in front of VIMBA marina. Then you get across SCHUE and ASTERBIT.
Depending where you are then, you may want to cut close to Mark #4: for the bolder ones, there is enough room to squeeze between the mark and the wreck to its left, which can save a little distance to Mark #1. But the space is narrow and the sanction is a sudden stop in the worst-case scenario. You have been warned!
After clearing Mark #1, it is a fast reach to the islands. There is an out-of-world limit at the NW corner of Orvietto: I tested it, the boat stops ok there. Don’t aim for the floating debris, but sail to their left, leaving some space. This will get you straight to the next turning point, by the first islands.
From broad reach, you transition to beam reach, sailing almost due North towards the island marking waypoint #2.
Depending on the boat you sail, and the speed at which you sail as you approach the island, you may want to aim a bit further from the island than what you would normally do: keep in mind the turning radius of your boat!
Turn too early, you end up on the island (checked)
Turn to late, you lose time (done that too)
Approach too close with high speed and you end up on the island on the outside of the turn (that was with the AC45!)
Coming out of the turn quickly (if you entered it right) requires some good timing in what you do then. You arrived on beam reach, but will leave on broad reach, at a slower speed, so you need to let loose the sheets, maybe switching sail (raising the spin briefly on the FS helps to get back to speed faster, for instance)
You now have time to think ahead about your bearing after clearing the islands at GUBBIO: you have 2 options, again depending on the boat you sail: a deeper larger boat will take you further East, to make sure you sail safely around the island marking waypoint #3. You don’t want to beach your boat now after sailing so well up till then !
There is a buoy marking the 4-way simcross between NORCIA, ORVIETO, RANNET and GRELOD: leave it to your right.
If you sail a lighter, swifter boat, with no risk of beaching her, you may leave that marker to your left, cutting a little distance as well.
You can now see Mark #4: the end is near, but more hazards lurk under the clear waters. So stay focused.
Set your spinnaker/genaker/wing your sails, as you round Mark #4 and get ready for the final run. Again, watch out for all the shallows.
Work these gybes safely: 1, 2 or 3 are necessary depending on your boat capacity to run downwind. Some need to keep a steeper angle to the wind, hence more gybes, to make the best time to finish. (Remember VMG?)
Congrats! There you are, ready to start over and improve your time
Happy “hotlapping” and have fun
