UPWIND PIN

This is a powerful move that can turn a slender half boat length advantage into a leading position around the windward mark. Yellow, on starboard tack, forces Blue to dip below its stern and pass behind.

Yellow quickly tacks a couple of lengths to windward of Blue. Yellow then sails low and fast to close the distance between the two boats. This prevents Blue from having enough room to safely tack. From this position Yellow can sail Blue all the way to a layline, tack first for the mark, and lead around.

As this position is so powerful, it is rarely seen. A boat in Blue’s initial position will rarely dip behind the starboard tack boat, preferring to tack earlier to avoid the trap.