Tips for Racing a Lightning Class Sailboat By John Sulzbach, Killingworth CT

Introduction• The founder of the Killingworth, CT, tree company Proper

Tree, John Sulzbach previously served as plant manager at Astroseal Products, where he headed a team in the creation of aerospace lightning protection products. In his leisure time in and around Killingworth, John Sulzbach enjoys sailing his Lightning Class sailboat, which he has raced in to win multiple series in Madison, CT.

The International Lightning Class Association offers numerous articles about how to sail and race the Lightning Class sailboat. One of these articles, titled Three Simple Go-Fast Rules, lays down three easy rules for racing better and faster.

Lightning Class Sailboat• The first rule dictates a requirement for sailing the boat in more

wind. Granted, one cannot control the amount of wind on the day of a race. However, most places include windier and calmer spots. By searching for darker spots on the water, racers can find more wind and take advantage of it.

Next, the article prescribes the rule of heading closer to the mark. When sailing upwind, tack (position the bow through the eye of the wind), and when sailing downwind, jibe (position the stern through the eye of the wind). Choosing when to tack and when to jibe will keep the boat aiming for the goal.

Lastly, the third rule lays out the injunction for simplicity. A more overarching rule, it refers to everything from tacking and jibing as little as possible to keeping out of the way of crowds of other boats.