Winning Isn’t Luck: How to Succeed in Racing Dinghies and Yachts

Whether racing dinghies or yachts, every sailor wants to drive through the fleet and cross the line first. In this groundbreaking book, international racer Fred Imhoff demonstrates how to do just that. By means of on-the-water action shots and detailed commentary about a sailor's tactics, sail trim, helming, crew positioning, and psychological attitude, Fred shares the secrets of competitive-racing success.

For both first-time club racers and international America's Cup hotshots, the sailor's ultimate goal is to constantly improve and stay one step ahead of the competition. Fred's logical, clinical analyses, accompanied by fantastic action shots--including many from the 2012 Olympics--will be a godsend to budding and improving racers alike. From advice on mental preparation, honing your gear, working the weather, and analyzing the course to briefing your crew, sussing out the other competitors, and analyzing your mistakes, this book is full of never-before-discussed winning strategies that will be absolutely indispensable to all racers, whatever their age or level.

Fred Imhoff is a successful racing sailor of international renown. He dominated the Flying Dutchman class for many years, winning European and world titles as well as Olympic medals, and has since competed in Dragon keelboats, Quarter-tonners, Half-tonners, and the America’s Cup. He doesn’t believe he was a better helmsman than his competitors--he just thought more about all the aspects of sailing that contributed to his success. He lives in the Netherlands.