When we talk boat speed we often focus on going fast upwind. But the biggest speed gains are made off the wind, particularly wire running. The technique was introduced to the 505 in 1992 when Chris and Darren Nicholson used it in 1992 to help them win the worlds. Howard Hamlin and I took note and have spent countless hours ever since working on our off-wind speed. We credit what we've learned in netting top-three finishes in the last five worlds.

WHEN TO GO WILD
When to sail on the wire and when to sail on the tank depends on wind and wave conditions. It can pay to keep off the wire when it is windy, but it never pays to wire run when it is too light. So the big question is when is it windy enough to go on the wire? This answer depends on variables such as crew weight. But as a general rule, once the boom is consistently eased off centerline, it is windy enough to go for it. In marginal conditions waves make a huge difference. In general the smaller the waves, the sooner you go to the wire. If the waves are steep and setup so that you can get long rides you may want to sit and ride them down. In short, make sure you maximize your time on the waves. That could mean tightening up and going for the wire or it could mean staying on the tank. Usually before the start we try both methods and see which provides the quickest ride.

SET UP
When wire running, you are looking for power. Ease the outhaul, let the cunningham off, pop off the vang and put the centerboard vertical. If you are carrying lots of rig tension, ease the shrouds. You just have to remember to put the load back on at the bottom mark.

The skipper should be sitting just in front of the rear thwart in moderate conditions. As the wind builds, he should move one foot behind the thwart and then move both feet behind it in big breeze. Ideally the skipper should sit on the tank but keep inside the rail. This allows the crew to move back and forth without fear of tripping over the skipper extended over the rail.

STEERING FOR SPEED
The wire-running goal: Be the fastest and lowest on the course. If you want to go low with speed, you have to do it with apparent wind. The key is to start off relatively high to get the boat up to speed. This means crew fully trapping and sails flowing (but not luffing). As the boat speeds up you will be able to head lower and lower. The most common mistake is sailing too low too early. Don't be suckered by other boats that look like they are working lower.

Neutral helm is everything! So in waves you have to think ahead and anticipate. Bear off at the top of the wave before you get weather helm. At the bottom of the wave, head up before you get lee helm.

CREWING TECHNIQUES
The crew has two jobs downwind, sail trim and steering the boat with his weight. Sail trim is simple. Trim the jib so it is flowing most of the time and cleat it. As the boat heads up and down through the waves it will sometimes stall. That's OK as long as it is flowing most of the time. The spinnaker is much more critical. The kite should be trimmed as far out as possible and the luff should be dancing all the time. As a puff hits, make sure the kite is eased for maximum acceleration.

Over trimming the kite is slow and will cause the rudder to stall, often resulting in a swim.

The crew has a big influence on steering the boat downwind. When driving over the top of a wave the crew can help the boat by extending out and back and pushing the bow down. When approaching the bottom of the wave the crew should lean in and bend knees to help the boat head up. Smooth motions in sync with the skipper's tiller motion is the goal. Like all sailing more time on the water is key.

TACTICS AND STRATEGY
Another big benefit to wire running is that the runs are very tactical because of the 90 degree jibe angles. Shifts and puffs make a big difference. Jibe when you are about to sail out of a puff. Some courses are biased to one side because of better wind or current. The passing lane in this case is low. When you round the weather mark if you can work lower (with equal speed) on the pack in front of you, you can jibe inside and "roll em ".

With the new big spinnaker on the way, wire running will start in less wind and lead to bigger gains and more exciting sailing. So hook up and blast off.

TANK TALK - SPRING 2001