Apr 21 - Apr 27, Gladzyzk

Fun and fast run this week.
I see 2-3 key zones...
1/ the start
Take as much distance to build up speed : we have perfect conditions with a large enough channel where to take advantage of the Easterlies blowing on our beam.
Be cautious about the last 50-100m to the line: the channel becomes narrower and you need to adjust bearing slightly before crossing from GLADZYCK into KLEISSER, so you get close to the NE buoy on the line.
2/ the beat
The first leg and the way you round RODEL will condition the next, long upwind leg to NIMITZ.
On the Flying Shadow, this first leg is not close-hauled, but almost. Given the 18-knot wind, we won't be able to maintain the starting speed all the way to RODEL, but we can work on keeping the momentum as long as possible while aiming close to Rodel Island.
It is key to be as close as possible to the island for the next leg. Indeed, this is the condition to manage a 2-tack leg to the mark in NIMITZ. On the FS, I push the first tack to the RODEL sim Southern border, tacking as late as possible. This way, it is possible to fetch the next mark with just 1 more tack. Sailing close-hauled, on a NE bearing, 30-32 AWA, so we arrive in the NE corner of COONTZ, takes determination and concentration. If you drift a little, you get into troubles at Nimitz, with either 2 more quick tacks or an agonizingly slow tack to the mark.
Either way, it will cost you precious seconds. So stay focused, tying to maintain the boat speed over 10-10.5 knots all along the beat.
3/the final run
At the mark in NIMITZ, we quickly raise the spinnaker. Sails trim is relatively straight forward: we are reaching at about 70AWA to the next 2 marks, in PRAT and DUNAI SOUND. After Dunai, we need to anticipate the final maneuvers which will allow to finish strongly.
We have a short reach to the corner of the sim to re-build speed up, then it is a "run" to the line: bear away quickly at the corner, easing the sheets almost totally as you aim almost due West, at about 140-145AWA. Meanwhile, hike to the centre of the boat.
We will have one last gybe to perform: I wait for the sim cross into KLEISSER to do it. If you had kept a bit too much angle to the wind on the run (130-135AWA) the gybe needs be done in TYMEL, as you pass North of the last mark.
I hope this help !
Have fun and fair winds
ViV

PS: one last trick to save a few seconds, do not follow the course tracing around the lighthouse in NIMITZ. Try to cut NE of it, in a straight line from the mark in NIMITZ to the one in PRAT.