The next step, after deciding where on the line to start, is to decide how to get there. We must select our approach. The approach we choose will form the basis of our starting plan. There are a variety of approaches available, each with advantages and disadvantages. It is best to be well-versed and comfortable with each, so we can select the one which best fits the prevailing strategic and tactical circumstances.

The approaches covered in the following pages include:

* Reach Out and Back
* Half Speed Approach
* Triangle Approach
* Vanderbilt Start
* Port Tack Approach / Pin End Start
* Port Tack Approach / Midline Start
* Port Tack Start
* Luffing Start
* Elvstrom Start
* Dip Start

Reach Out and Back

The most commonly used approach is the Reach Out and Back. Often the fleet moves én mass, reaching out on port tack one and a half to two minutes before the start. At around a minute everyone tacks back and reaches to the line, trimming up to closehauled for the last fifteen to thirty seconds.

Advantages
The Reach Out and Back is simple.

Danger!
This approach creates clumps of boats. You want to avoid crowds. This is also a barging set up. There are better approaches.

The Secret to Success
The key is to hold a position with clear air in the front row. Try to leave room for acceleration ahead and to leeward by sweeping down and luffing up, effectively stalling while those ahead sail further down the line. Then use the space to accelerate. The biggest problem is keeping the space for yourself. Some boats will try to go over and under you to steal it; others will come in on port tack.

Half Speed Approach

The Half Speed Approach is popular and effective. Sail away from a spot on the line and turn back early to allow for the congestion and bad air of the fleet. Once headed for the line, speed is adjusted to properly time the approach. The object is to approach at half speed with final trim coming early enough to reach full speed and hit the line at the gun.

Advantages
The half speed approach is relatively simple and reliable­a good choice in moderate to heavy air. It gets you set up early and puts you in the front row. This approach is effective in any part of the line. For a right-hand end start, you can bottle up the crowd reaching in above you.

Danger!
Tacking kills speed. Jibing carries you away from the line. Allow plenty of time for your turn. At the same time, beware setting up too close to the line, without room to accelerate. Also, avoid this approach in light air, or in a heavy boat which is slow to build speed. Another problem with the half speed approach is that you must sail on port tack into oncoming starboard boats and find room to make a full 180° turn.

The Secret to Success
It is important to maintain at least half speed throughout the approach, in order to be able to accelerate readily to full speed. In big fleets there is rarely sufficient room to be fully accelerated at the gun. The key is to hold a position with clear air in the front row. Boats tend to push to the line early to keep clear air. While you might prefer to hang back to leave room to accelerate, but you have to stay in the front row to keep clear air.

Triangle Approach

The Triangle Approach avoids the problem of searching for room to tack or jibe in a crowd. Initiate the triangle at the spot from which you want to start. Sail from your starting spot on a port beam reach, along the line and its extension. Next, jibe to a starboard broad reach and sail down to the final approach layline. Finally, head up to closehauled for the run at the line. Each leg of the triangle is of about the same duration­usually 30 to 45 seconds each for a 30-foot boat, scaled up or down for larger or smaller boats.

Advantages
The turn onto your final approach doesn't slow you down and doesn't take much room. You are also very maneuverable as you reach in. The triangle approach allows more room to accelerate than other approaches. Recommended for light to moderate air. Works anywhere on the line.

Danger!
Don't be late. If you are late, you may not have time to get through the crowd and around the bargers.

The Secret to Success
If you fear you are running late on leg two, cut the corner. Often legs two and three turn into one long continuous sweeping turn.

Vanderbilt Start

The Vanderbilt Start is a popular but flawed approach. The basic plan is to sail away from the line on a port tack broad reach on the reciprocal of your starboard tack closehauled course. You then tack or jibe, and return to the place from which you departed.

Advantages
The attraction of this approach is its simplicity.

Danger!
The problem? It doesn't work. At least not in a competitive fleet it doesn't. The flaw is that you cannot make your turn at the appointed place and time because other boats will be there; and should you somehow find room for your turn, you will lack the clear air necessary to accelerate.

The Secret to Success
In a small, uncompetitive fleet you might succeed with this start, but you would do better to practice a technique which will be of more use when you move up.

If you insist on using this approach, remember that the speeds out and back are not necessarily equal, and you must allow sufficient time for your tack or jibe. The Vanderbilt start was developed for match racing and is used there with some success. Congestion and disturbed air make it a poor choice for fleet racing.