Try to describe both variables as precisely as possible (see sample dialogue below), and focus mostly on changes in relative speed and height when they occur. For example, if you are the windward boat and you are getting farther from the leeward boat, you are probably pointing higher. If you are gaining bearing (i.e. you're moving forward on them) you are probably going faster through the water.

Speed and height are usually inversely proportional. It's great to be faster and higher upwind, but normally if you point higher you go slower, and if you point lower you sail faster. In these cases, it's not always clear whether you are gaining or losing on the other boat. If you're going a lot faster and a little lower that's good. But if it's a little faster and a lot lower that's bad.

Therefore, instead of just saying "We're higher and slower" or "We're lower and faster" it is helpful to give your opinion on which boat is making a net gain upwind.

For example, you might say "We're higher and slower, net gain to us." This means even though your speed is slower, your better pointing more than makes up for it. Therefore, you are making better progress to windward.

To avoid confusion, always talk about your own boat. That way, when you say "higher and faster," everyone will know this refers to your boat, not the other one. Speak loudly enough so you can be heard by the sail trimmer(s), tactician and helmsperson, since all these people need the information you are giving. And make sure to give speed information at critical times in a race, such as just after the start. During these periods, your speed reports may be nearly non-stop, like a horse-race announcer.

Speed and Height

When you are racing upwind or downwind, there are two dimensions of performance - speed and height. Speed is how fast the boat moves through the water in a direction parallel to its centerline. Height refers to how high it is pointing, or moving in a direction perpendicular to its centerline (see below). These speed variables are like the X and Y axes on a plane - that is, they describe the relative position and movement of racing boats across the surface of the water.

Just as you cannot describe a point on a graph without knowing both the X and Y coordinates, you can't describe relative performance by talking about only one variable. It means nothing, for example, to simply say "We're faster." It's great to be faster, but you could be sailing on a beam reach, which won't get you upwind very fast. Instead, talk about both speed and height. For example, "We're faster and the same height." This gives your fellow crewmembers enough information to make an accurate evaluation of your performance.

SPEED

The speed of a boat is a measure of how fast she is moving straight ahead through the water. There are only 3 ways that your speed can compare to another boat. You could be:

• Faster

• Same speed; or

• Slower

HEIGHT

The "height" of a boat is a measure of how close she is sailing to the wind, or how well she is 'pointing.' There are only three ways that your height can compare to that of another boat. You could be:

• Higher

• Same height; or

• Lower

A sample speed conversation:

When you are trying to get your boat up to speed, it's very important to know how you are performing re lative to your competition. To do this, watch a nearby boat and give a running report for the rest of your crew. Here's a sample of what you might say:

"We're a litte lower, same speed."

"Still a little lower, maybe faster now."
"We're the same height, same speed."
"Slightly higher, and speed is at least the same."

"A little lower, and now a bit faster."
"Still lower and faster, but we're gaining."
"Almost the same height, a lot faster."
"Same height, still faster."
"Higher and faster."
"Still higher, speed is dropping."
"A little higher but also a little slower."
"Higher and slower, net gain to them."
"Same height, same speed."

David Dellenbaugh, former starting helmsman for America3, publishes Speed&Smarts, a monthly newsletter of how-to information for racing sailors. For subscription information call: 800-356-2200. To order a new subscription, click here.