Wind & Comparable Races

True wind ranged 3.1–16.4 kn (avg 9.1 kn), close to race 4 (2026-06-17, avg 10.0 kn, 0.0–24.0 kn) — same crew size (4) and same Wed Nights series, making it the best available comparable even though race 4's range extended further in both directions.

Overall performance improved on that comparable race: 78.4% of polar target upwind (vs 70.4%) and 79.1% downwind (vs 71.5%), a solid step up on both points of sail. Upwind VMG averaged 3.1 kn against a 4.21 kn target (74% of target VMG) — lower than the raw speed percentage alone suggests, because upwind TWA ran wide of target by 7.3° (47.4° vs a 40.1° target), the opposite tendency from race 4's pinched angle; footing that far off target costs VMG even when boat speed itself is respectable. Downwind, TWA averaged 153.1° against a 149.2° target — 3.9° deeper than optimal, again the opposite direction from race 4's shy angle.

Twelve tacks lost 35.6% of speed on average (similar to race 4's 36.9%) with a comparable 7.8s recovery, and five gybes lost 26.3%, higher than race 4's 23.7%. Four mark roundings were logged, again too few to isolate leg-by-leg splits reliably. No start-of-race data is available for this race. Heel while beating averaged 13.6° with little side imbalance (+1.8° signed) — noticeably higher than race 4's 8.1°, consistent with sailing in a fuller part of the wind range on the beat, though the data doesn't establish a direct causal link to the wide upwind angle. The two clearest strengths were downwind and upwind speed as a share of target (79.1% and 78.4%, both ahead of the comparable race); the two most important gaps were the wide upwind angle and gybe execution.

Coaching Recommendations

1. Upwind TWA ran 7.3° wide of target (47.4° vs 40.1°) — the widest angle gap on record so far. Work on pointing higher without giving up the speed gains already showing.
2. Gybe loss increased to 26.3% from the comparable race's 23.7% — revisit gybe technique and timing.
3. Tack recovery has held around 7.8-7.9s across the last two races, well off the 3.6s seen in the lightest-air race on record — targeted tack drills could close this gap.