UGA Sailing: Lifts and Headers

University of Georgia Sailing Chalk Talk 9: Lifts and Headers
Welcome to our new video series! Our growth has been exponential and in efforts to reach as many people as possible on our race team, we've moved to virtual chalk talks. Enjoy!
Allison Chenard, Race Team Captain
US Sailing Level III Coach

[@SlickMaximus]

At age 18 I asked the man winning 16 foot jib and main sidewinder class race "How do you decide when to tack"? His answer was your definition of lift and header. I started tacking on header and finished first 30% and second 70% of races out of 12 boats. We also ran Olympic course Wednesday nights.

[@moniquesmith691]

Thanks so much! That was probably the most information I have been able to get on headers and lifts!! This will really improve my sailing, I hope!

[@ugasailing9571]

Hi Monique, so glad you found it helpful! Thanks for the feedback! -Allison

[@larryrizzo736]

I love your explanations, you make things very clear and understandable. Thank you so much.

[@ugasailing9571]

Thanks Larry, glad you find them helpful! -Allison

[@estherleung5276]

Great video! Would be great if you can make one on how to predict a lift/ header before it hits

[@gregcongdon9888]

New to catamaran racing and sailing overall. Our first and only boat is a Hobie 20 and currently up at nationals in Oklahoma City getting our butts kicked by some very good sailors! Your video helped me to start understanding the wind better. Thank you

[@teddblankenship7267]

As always... brilliant. Best explanation I've ever heard on headers and lifts. We've got to get you out to Kansas... soon. Well done!

[@ugasailing9571]

Thanks a bunch, Tedd! Yes, looking forward to making a trip out there as soon as this virus lets up!! -Allison

[@franciscojose2969]

Congratulations! You speak easily.

[@jrawstro]

I wish you had more videos! These are great! I am new to racing this year and have been learning from my husband...but I would like to hear about this stuff from someone else, said in a different way as it is not coming easy to me!

[@echoMagnolia]

Best explanation I’ve heard

[@sammyhagger12]

Best explanation I’ve seen!!

[@TheD7035]

Very helpful, Thank you!

[@ugasailing9571]

Glad you found it helpful! -Allison

[@petesteel]

Nice and clear, thx

[@ugasailing9571]

Thanks Pete! -Allison

[@alotero8320]

Excellent video, if you used a different color to explain the new wind and boat position it might be even clearer

[@ugasailing9571]

Thanks for the feedback, Al! I realized in editing that it was difficult to see, so now I'm more conscious of that as I'm filming. Thanks for the comment! -Allison

[@Ericjohouse]

Some headers seem very temporary. And of course you don’t want to tack too much…every time your headed (or do you every time?). Is there a rule of thumb as to when you should tack when headed? How long do you wait before tacking?

[@ugasailing9571]

Hey there! Knowledge of the area will really help you with this one- for instance, a big header could come as a result of how the wind is playing over the trees on a shoreline or how the land is heating up as the wind meets it on the shore. For big changes that are because of geographic occurrences, it's smart to tack on those headers because they probably aren't going to reverse and work in your favor. If geographic elements aren't a factor, you can start to take notes on how long each of the shifts last for and how great of a difference there is on a compass. Having a compass near the base of your mast will help you keep track of what the average is for the day and will educate your decisions when the shifts arrive. If it's a huge header and way off your average compass reading, probably best to tack on it. If it's minimal, you can consider taking the small hit in favor of continuing on your course to the spot on the course that you want to spend time. No matter the severity of the shift, though, keeping tabs on how long the wind takes to clock back and forth will help further educate your decisions on how you want to react to the shifts. (eg. minimal header but it's been taking a long time to come back? Then that will affect you over the length of your leg and you might want to do something about it. OR huge header but you know it'll come back because the timing has been pretty quick all day? Maybe you stay on that and take the gamble for a minute with trust that the wind will act the same way you've observed the whole day. There's an essay for you haha happy sailing! -Allison

[@arjunboddu8273]

Awesome vid! Do you have any references on sailing the lifted tack and how to improve/recognize that in races. While I can recognize headers and lifts when they happen Im never sure if im on the faster tack! Thanks!

[@ugasailing9571]

Hi Arjun, I'd recommend checking out our "Finishing Strategies" video... it's a lengthy one but in it I include some techniques on how to recognize the lifted tack. Let me know if something in there works for you! -Allison

[@andrewSul]

@@ugasailing9571 cool vid

[@dfinchermd]

In a race always point up to the lift, correct?

[@eamongoggin2810]

Very indiscnt