PIN START
KK “The start line is formed by the boat and a mark with an imaginary line between. The pin start is when racers opt to start from the buoy end of the line. Either end should be equally close to the mark in theory. I’d like to say that the pin end start is usually where the risk takers are to be found!”
FM “My favourite; that’s being the bottom guy on the start line. A lot of guys prefer the boat end and a few start in the middle. I like the pin, if you have speed you can control the guys on top of you easier. You have to have the speed, if you start at the pin and you are lacking speed then you will get rolled, or spritzed!”
BVDS “Starting at the opposite end to the boat on the line. It is the most
downwind part of the line. I don’t have any preferred side to start! I go where it is good on the day!”
FR “When you start downwind of the starting line; it is super tactical!”
THE STARTING TRIANGLE
KK “This is the area between the starting buoy, the pin and the first mark. Basically you stay out of it one minute before any race start. Some big names have been disqualified for doing this.”
FM “Stay out of it inside one minute otherwise you get disqualified. It’s between the start boat, the pin end of the start and the first mark. Don’t go there in the final minute otherwise it’s fine. I’ve been there and that’s a harsh way to go out, it cost me dearly.”
BVDS “It is there for the rules! In the last minute you cannot cross this triangle or else you get disqualified. It’s a red zone!”
FR “That is bullshit! Very few people know what it is. The triangle is between the start boat, the pin and the first mark. There is a rule from upwind racing where you are not supposed to go in that zone one minute before the start.
Somehow it has been applied to slalom racing. It should not be! Some guys could go through that zone and not disturb anyone and be disqualified. Many guys got disqualified for no reason from the race directors. They should use their discretion, a rider is interfering or not, that is it!”
HEADING UP
FM “This happens in slalom. When a guy comes from behind with more speed and is trying to roll you, then you can pinch up into the wind and basically make it so he cannot keep a straight course anymore, that’s heading up! Everyone does it, it’s a way of slowing the other guy down.”
ON TOP
KK “On the upwind side of another racer.”
BELOW
KK “On the downwind side of another racer.”
