It's critical to be aware of what you're doing when you're going for a bearing gain because you do not want to spear off into a corner, potentially sailing extra distance for a shift that never materializes. Therefore, going toward a layline when one tack is long, or going fast in shifty conditions, are the two situations where I really focus on it. But when sailing in the open course, make sure you're monitoring what's happening elsewhere. The team needs to be talking about the changes so the helmsman knows when the mode is working or not working.

When to sail high and slow
First and foremost, I try really hard not to sail in headers. Rule No. 1, sail the lifts, makes life much better. But if you find yourself out of phase, you need to know how to sail the boat two-tenths under target for a period of time. When would you want to do this? A few examples include getting off the starting line, away from a leeward mark, or when a boat is on your leebow, heading into a persistent shift. Another one would be when you're on a layline in the dirty air of a competitor.

In a venue such as Long Beach, Calif., where the locals know to head toward the right side of the racecourse after the sea breeze fills, sailing in high mode is imperative. As a boat stuck in traffic, knowing I have to go right, I would intentionally sail a higher, slower mode to play out the long-term tactical plan. More often than not, the high/slow mode is a traffic mode.

If you find yourself in this mode to execute a tactical plan, adjust your sail setup accordingly. This can mean a tighter leech on the jib and more load on the mainsail. In some cases it's traveler up with normal trim and pinching on the jib. It can also be more sheet tension while the boat briefly sails high to open windward gauge. I prefer the combination of traveler up slightly and normal sheet tension, which creates a loaded feel to the boat and allows enough twist to build speed when necessary.

Understanding your tactical needs at the time should be the driving factors in selecting any given mode. If you make the decision to go fast-forward, everybody on the boat needs to understand what you're going for at the time and why. This will allow for a constant stream of feedback of performance versus competition so you will know when to change modes. Knowing your set up allows you to quickly and efficiently go from a normal, to fast, to high mode trim. Finally, if you're blindly sailing high and slow, or gaining bearing, there needs to be the conversation of what is the tactical goal for the next three minutes. This basic tactical understanding for the given situation will lead to a better plan, better communication, and ultimately a better result.