Manfred Curry
Manfred Curry
In 1925, Curry (1899-1953), an American scientist living in Munich, published a book titled The Aerodynamics of Sails and Racing Tactics ,
a book that took sail trim and design from the theoretical to the real
by measuring how wind flowed over sails and accurately describing the
patterns. A breakthrough discovery made by Curry was that "the suction
effect in the lee of the sail amounts to three to four times the
positive pressure on its windward surface."
Curry was also a
champion in dinghies, his results reflecting his understanding of air
and water flow over sails and centerboards as well as his command of
tactics and strategy.
To this day his book provides any sailor
with an easy to understand explanation of why sails work as well as the
tools to come out on top using tactics and strategy.
