VSK Match Forum

Posted: **20 Jul 2004 18:26**

Hi all,
A simply question .... Have u any info regarding the team race strategy?

I'm new 4 this kind of race if u have any suggestion.... (I think is important to do the race faster than the opponents but what is the limits of rules?)

Thanks 4 your reply
:beer:

Posted: **20 Jul 2004 19:52**

Here is a web site that should give you some tips on strategy.

http://babel.massart.edu/~carrie/dfw-projects/Josh/tactics.htm

As for how far to push the rules I would just suggest to race for a while and you'll figure out where the line is. Most guys here are nice gentlemen sailors but when the rules on their side its hard to beat them. you'll need to learn how not to get yourself pinned. And sailing fast only helps if your behind. I'm one of the fastest sailors on this game and in team racing I loose more than half the time ( I basically suck at team racing ). But it's the most fun way to race when your sailing with guys you like.

Posted: **20 Jul 2004 22:47**

Thanks for rush reply...I go to study now aand after to do a team race.

BYE

Claudio - hula

Posted: **30 Jul 2004 03:18**

If you do a Google search for "team racing tactics" you should find lots of links to sites that discuss tactics like the "pass backs" (slowing down an opponent to let a teammate pass) and "mark traps" (using rule 18 to push oppenents in all sorts of ungodly places they don't want to go to let a teammate pass inside). The real trick is knowing when to apply the tactics and when to just go fast, and the only way to figure that out is to know if your team is ahead or behind. To aid in that, we have a "Team Race Calculator" at http://www.itbyc.org/team_score.html. The calculator has been updated to use the same algorithm that VSK3 uses to calculate team scores.

Generally, if your team has fewer points than the other team you want to go fast and stay away from the other team as they are just going to be trying to slow you down to pass you. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, in a 3 vs 3 race there is nothing better than having your teammates in 1st and 2nd, which is a guaranteed winner regardless of how the third boat finishes. Therefore, the only job the third boat has is to slow down the boats on the other team to protect first and second. It can be great fun.

If your team has more points than the other team somebody is going to have to slow someone on the other team. If it's up to you to slow down an opponent figure out which opponent you should slow down; it may not be the closest one. Try to pick the boat your teammate has to pass to get your team into a winning combination. You can slow other boats down by getting in their wind and luffing your sails, forcing them to sail extra distance, or hopefully by doing both.

In all cases, you should always be asking yourself, "is what I'm doing helping my team?". Always check that you are not blocking a teammates wind, give your teammates room at the start line and around marks, and don't bunch up with your teammates, it's usually no good having your whole team on the same side of the course.

As for the "limit of the rules", at times you will have to use the rules to "push" opponents around to slow them down or make them sail extra distance (or both). But, you should only use the rules to gain an advantage, you should not use the rules to purposely give penalties to your opponents. For example, if I have luffing rights over you and I need to slow you down I will try luffing you to the moon and back. However, I wouldn't luff up suddenly to try to give you a pen. The goal is to control you and make you go slow, not give you a penatly. However, if you fail to keep clear that is another matter...

Hope to see you out team racing!

Posted: **19 Oct 2004 15:10**

Hello Can ,

you remember me ? ...my team was #2 in last WTRC .... and next year I will have my revenge .... :blues:

..but.... we are managing for a "championship" of team race.... could be interesting ? Take a look HERE.... Rules updated with ITBYC suggestions ....

good wind

Skypp

Edited By SKYPPYNO on 1098195722

Posted: **22 Oct 2004 19:27**

Ahoy Skypp,

Yes, I saw the notice for the tourney. We'll be there, we are just in the process of putting a team (or three) together.

VSK Match Forum

Team Race strategy