Blog » Here is another gem from "Ben" - with my translation alongside!

"...for me, ultra-aggressive sailing was just normal.That's how you should race. Once on the water, the gloves were off. But back on shore, we got on fine. We'd sit down and talk about movesand what had worked well."

Ben, in his autobiography "Close to the Wind", was talking about practicing with and racing with his mates from his club in Cornwall. What he says just has to be a good principle - on the water everybody is equal and you fight hard. But, and there is a but, this means doing it fairly, without gamesmanship, without bullying younger or less experienced sailors. If such sailors baulk you it is usually through knowledge or experience that is less than yours.

There are three things that will happen if you shout at and abuse them for their indiscretion 1) you loose your racing thread and it takes time to get back into the groove so you will have lost even more - not smart 2) you loose the potential friendship and goodwill of someone who probably looks up to you  3) It diminishes you as a person to loose control in such a poor manner and looses you respect.

 If on the other hand you get on with your own race it is easier to remain in the groove and you have the opportunity to explain afterwards what they did wrong and what they should have done, thereby winning friends and influencing people. Everyones a winner!

Sail hard but fair and take your own penalties promptly. That guarantees fun.