Interesting video series on Law Connect winning the last two Hobarts. I was very interested in the last one where they talk of how important planning is when gybing in 40 knots true - really good technique required withe everyone knowing their job exactly BEFORE the manouvre. Then the helmsman (Tony Mutter) waits until he is heading down a long wave and away the crew go - lots more in the talk.

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Y0_sMgjCadwQTAjXF95E-1m3Svx3A3i

Lots of respect and lesson to be learnt for all of us - even the pros take it very carefully - but NOT slowly in big winds. I learnt many years ago that gybing fast was always the best - the problem of getting to the wing mark with your bow stuck in the wave in front was a nightmare that kept me awake. I like the little details about setting the traveller - getting all the crew set at their jobs - waiting for just the right moment - NIcho calling potential waves.

Tony Mutter & Chris Nicholson have 7 odd Volvo campaigns. I'd have to imagine it's not too different. Chris / AKZO had some great footage of gybing in heavy air.

Certainly good to unload the gear for the gybe.A nice example is in a Volvo Oean Race vid. Plenty of heavy running & you see the main flop across on the Kosatka (yellow boat) during a big surf.

cammd said..
Every windsurfer knows to go fast into a gybe.

Yep, I nailed my first planing gybes at Coronation Beach by sailing out the back until I found the biggest wave I could... You had about a minute to sort your hands and feet out while the board just surfed on down the wave