Championship Tactics is the tactical manual for the racing
sailor. This comprehensive volume contains lessons from decades of world-class
competition.
Gary Jobson was a collegiate champion, and raced in three America's
Cup campaigns, twice as Ted Turner's tactician and once with Tom Blackaller. Tom
Whidden called the tactics in three of the America's Cup matches he sailed with Dennis
Connor. Now the authors have put experience gained at the top in a format that
racers of single-handed dinghies or maxi boats can use.
Championship Tactics melds expert advice with a rich
collection of anecdotes from the greatest races of our time. The book also contains
well-diagrammed professional secrets (there are over 150 illustrations) that even the
Wednesday-night club racer will enjoy.
Topics include: starts and finishes; upwind, reaching, and downwind
legs; mark roundings; steering; handling varied winds and waves; boat speed; tactical
electronic instruments; the psychology of racing; key racing rules; and protests.
"Local knowledge" of racing conditions from Long Beach to Long Island has
been gleaned from a survey of regional experts. The book also covers how to gather
vital information on conditions before a race, and how to record what you've learned.
The result is the most complete guide of its kind, by sailors
ideally equipped to reveal state-of-the-art techniques.
About the Authors
Gary Jobson -- America's Cup champion Gary
Jobson has won the Liberty Cup three times, and is a two-time College Sailor of the Year.
He has covered America's Cup and professional racing for ESPN, Olympic sailing for
NBC (Emmy Award), and has nine books to his credit. Jobson is the host of
"Sailing Quarterly" video magazine.
Tom Whidden -- Tom Whidden has
sailed in three winning America's Cup campaigns, and is president of North Sails. He
is the author, with Michael Levitt, of The Art and Science of Sails (St. Martin's
Press).
Adam Loory -- Adam Loory is general
manager of UK International Sailmakers. He sailed aboard a class-winning entry in
the 1989 Trans-Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, and actively races inshore as well. He
covered the 1987 America's Cup for USA Today. Loory has been an editor for Sailing
World and other major yachting publications.
Praise for
Championship Tactics
"If you want to know the 'how tos' of sailing tactics, as told
by two of the best, read Championship Tactics. The big-time gossip and
sailing tricks alone are worth the price." -- William C.
Martin, president, United States Yacht Racing Union
"This book really can help you sail better at all
levels of competition. With good illustrations, weather tips, sail shape advice, and
an inside look at the most sophisticated racecourse maneuvering, Championship Tactics
is a must for both casual and dead serious racers." -- Bruce
Kirby, designer of the Laser
"If you're ready to race and win, this book will take you
there. Read it carefully, use what Tom and Gary suggest, and your standings will
improve." -- Ed Baird, J24 and Laser world champion, author,
professional sailor
"Tom and Gary are two of the leading racing sailors in the
world today. During my years on the water with Tom, and the time I spent teaching
alongside of Gary, I've learned a great deal. Their tactical expertise is second to
none." -- Peter Isler, College Sailor of the Year; Winning
America's Cup navigator (1987, '88); helmsman, Isler Sailing Int'l campaign for the 1992
America's Cup
"Two of the greatest tacticians in this country, if not the
world, Gary Jobson and Tom Whidden, pool their years of racing experience to give the
reader a wealth of racing tips. Well worth reading by any racing sailor who wants to
improve." -- Stephen Colgate, CEO, Offshore Sailing School,
Ltd.
"The emphasis on feedback, crew communication and visualization
is valid both for championship racing and for teamwork and leadership under any
circumstances. A compelling and highly readable book for anyone who seeks to advance
in good sea sense." -- Suzanne M. Pogell, president &
founder, Womanship, the first sailing school for women
"A book for all sailors to read. For racing sailors,
everything from tips to remembrances are included. When Tom Whidden and Gary Jobson
get together the action begins--always on the racecourse--and certainly in this book.
My compliments." -- Jim Kilroy, championship Maxi Boat, Kialoa
