The Solitaire du Figaro is one of the most notoriously tidal racecourses in sailing; 2024 winner Tom Dolan explains tidal planning strategy with Andy Rice\u201cWe\u2019re all tadpoles swimming in a stream,\u201d says Tom Dolan of single-handed offshore racing. With so many human, technical and environmental factors feeding into overall performance on the race course, Dolan is always looking at ways of simplifying any process that he can.
\nOne key area is understanding the complex tidal stream scenarios faced on every leg of the Solitaire du Figaro. With the scoreboard based on aggregate time, every moment matters. Dolan applies a few key rules of thumb to help analyse strategic and tactical situations \u2013 even in brutal sailing conditions where he is likely short on sleep and looking to manage his energy levels as efficiently as possible.
\nIn this extended \u20185 Tips\u2019, Tom shares his expert advice on how to think clearly in complex scenarios, and be the most efficient tadpole in the tide possible.
\nSet priorities
\nWhen you\u2019re sailing short-handed and short on sleep, you need to keep things as simple as possible. I have a pile of strategic priorities I keep uppermost in my mind. I list them here in no particular order, as it\u2019s always moving according to changing circumstances.
\nIf conditions change, the order changes. When we pass a mark, again the order may very well change. If we find ourselves defending a lead, the order might change again. They are: synoptic wind; local effects; sea breeze; tidal current or shift; your opponents; and race course geometry.
\nArticle continues below\u2026<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 expert tips for sailing in cold weather<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnlike most of us, Bob Beggs seeks out extreme cold and is currently planning his next yachting venture into the\u2026<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 expert tips: Shorthanded mainsail reefing<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe double-handed team of Deb Fish and Rob Craigie have got mainsail reefing down to a fine art. \u201cEven when\u2026<\/p>\n
Adjust for point of sail
\nThe position of tide in the pyramid of priorities depends on a number of factors including the strength of the tide, the strength of the wind and your point of sail. For example, the lighter the wind the more important the tide becomes, so the higher it moves up the list.
\nThe point of sail is also vital. When sailing upwind against the tide, the wind and the tide are in the same direction, so this decreases the apparent wind flowing over your sails. Not only are you sailing against the tide \u2013 which slows your ground speed \u2013 but you\u2019re also sailing in less wind which reduces your surface speed. So generally speaking, when sailing upwind, the tide gets bumped right up to the top of the pile.
\nSailing downwind is a little different, as wind and tide are opposed, and the apparent wind flowing over the sails increases. The Figaro 3 is a light boat and the polars take quite a steep jump when sailing downwind. So an increase or decrease in wind speed or a shift in wind direction can relegate the tide to second or third place on our pyramid.
\nIn both cases, wind and tide are together or opposed, so the zones of stronger or weaker flow are quite easily seen over the water in many cases, and can also be marked by long banks of seaweed. Just like looking at clouds in the sky to tell us what\u2019s going on with the wind, seaweed and waves can act a bit like clouds in the water.
\nAnother important thing to watch is the topography. Steep contours cause water to accelerate, so it can be very beneficial to aim for, or avoid, steep drops in the sea bed, especially along sandbanks or most commonly between 30-50m along the coast of the Channel.
\nSlack period as the tide changes direction can be critical \u2013 in the English Channel the tidal shift always arrives from the west
\nTime the slack
\nThe period of slack as the tides start switching direction is a critical time for significant gains or losses. The timing of this period can vary a lot depending on variation in atmospheric pressure and how long the wind is blowing in the same direction. So look for every indicator available to make the best judgement about the timing.
\nIn the English Channel the slack, or tidal shift, always arrives from the west, so your west\/east positioning can be an important factor. Boats in the west will always extend or compress, especially if sailing upwind, so it\u2019s important not to draw conclusions about boat speed at moments like this.
\nFactor in wind
\nAs well as wind strength, tidal streams also have a huge impact on the wind direction that you experience on the surface of the water. We call this the \u2018tide wind\u2019. There are complicated vectors that we can use to calculate this shift, but an easy rule of thumb is that the \u2018tide pushes the tail of the wind\u2019.
\nHighly detailed tidal data is available from Barotropic, but can overwhelm boat computers
\nFor example if the wind is northerly, and the tide arrives from the west, the wind will shift right. The lighter the wind, or the stronger the tide, the greater the shift.
\nAdrena will calculate this in the routing, and also has a good constant wind function which allows you to set a given wind direction.
\nWhen we cross the Channel in a straight line, the golden rule is to never struggle against the tide, so set your magnetic heading at the start and follow this number. On fast boats like the Figaro 3 which accelerate easily when you bear away by just 10\u00b0 or 15\u00b0, it can be good to go a bit extreme in your trajectory.
\nHowever, on more conventional displacement boats, varying course is unlikely to translate into much of a speed gain.
\nUse old nav skills
\nAlthough I don\u2019t actually use paper charts any more, I think my background of using paper charts helps me with rock hopping. I did three years of Mini Transat campaigning where we were only allowed to use paper charts, and I think that background gives me the level of knowledge and confidence to go in a little bit closer to the shore and any shallow areas compared with some of my competitors.
\nThe ability to look at a rock in real life and relate it to what you see on a screen is a vital tool when you\u2019re seeking to escape the worst of an adverse current. And remember, if you\u2019re rock hopping, you\u2019re more than likely sailing against the wind. Your ground speed is low (probably just 3-4 knots), so a collision probably is unlikely to cause that much damage!<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
Yachting World is the world\u2019s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.<\/p>\n
Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.<\/p>\n
The post 5 Expert Tips: Tidal planning and strategy appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Solitaire du Figaro is one of the most notoriously tidal racecourses in sailing; 2024 winner Tom Dolan explains tidal planning strategy with Andy Rice\u201cWe\u2019re all tadpoles swimming in a stream,\u201d says Tom Dolan of single-handed offshore racing. With so … <\/p>\n