Physical Education

Unit - 8

8.3.2.How to play and win?
In Olympic Sailing, competitors use technique, strategy, technology, strength and skill to guide their craft around a course, with the aim of crossing the finish line first.
This involves setting the sails to get maximum power from wind. Olympic class Sailing craft vary greatly in size, from 3.35m to 8.2m.
There will be 10 different classes in 2012, with separate events for men and women. Each event consists of a series of races.
Currently competitors score points for their position in every race, with the winner getting one point, second getting two and so on. At the end of the competition, the individual or crew with the fewest points is declared the winner. The final race is known as the ‘medal race’ and only involves the top 10 nations. It also scores double points.

• Craft: A sail boat or board.
• Class: The actual model of craft. For example, the ‘Laser’ is a single-handed, one person craft.
• Fleet racing: A style of race where all the competitors sail against each other at the same time.
• Port: The left side of a boat when looking forward.
• Starboard: The right side of a boat when looking forward.
• Tack: To change direction relative to wind. Where the front of the boat passes through the ‘eye’ of the wind to change direction.