If you are racing You are in the wrong positioin to begin with and you are essentially locked in that position. If your opponents are going straight down wind, you need to back down and gybe. (gives you more speed) Trim sails for max speed and then tack across in front of them but never run straight down wind as off the wind is always faster. Forget the rules unless collesion is possible and then the rules come into play. Watch for wind shifts and be ready yto take advantage. You have to rermember 2 rules, the 2 boat around marks and the half boat rule... remember the faster you go the closer you can sail to the wind because your apparent wind changes. I got all of this by reading racing books. Try Buddy Melges "Sailing Smart". It's worth the price. Stuart Walker's Advanced Racing tactics is also good.

:: Curious about what rules govern in this example of
:: downwind to the line racing. All three boats have
:: rounded the weather mark are heading to the finish. My
:: boat, the overtaking boat must keep clear so I steer to
:: port of James's boat ( the one with the octopus). Leah's
:: boat is to my port. Are all boats supposed to keep clear
:: of each other once overlap is achieved? What is the boat
:: to my post were to have sailed in to pinch me between
:: James's boat. We are all playing nice, but I am just
:: curious what the implications are.
::
:: Thanks, Keay
::
:: Here is the video:

:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9U_N5CE8kw&feature=share&list=UUr...
::
:: (i tried sending this out to the TUNA digest, but I
:: don't think it ever came through)