-> On 12-05-95  11:43, Chris Palmieri got back to Expert Racers 
 CP> Does anyone out here race sailboats on Lake Ontario
 CP> and in  New York. 
I used to live out that way but didn't start racing until I 
came out to the west coast.  
 CP> If I do bad, it is usually because I  blow it on the way down. 
 CP> PS Laser and JY15 and J24 sailboats are what I skipper.
 CP> I do foredeck for a J35.  I would prefer imformation on go fast
 CP> skill on down wind.
A lot of it depends on the boat itself.  I race a C-Lark with a 
small jib and no chute.  On that, I avoid having to run straight 
down wind whenever possible.  
On the Bahama 25, I run foredeck.  It's a heavy little boat and 
we avoid making jibes whenever possible.  On it, we generally 
do better going straight for the mark.  
I've also ran the spinnaker on a J-24 over a 2 day regatta.  On 
that boat, jibing duals where as common as tacking duels.  The 
general track was 45%  off of a dead downwind.  
Hope this helps get you started, as there is still a lot more to 
going fast down wind than just basic course choice!  
... Don't stand up under a gibing boom!
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