How To

Sailboat Racing Tips: How to Hold Your Position on the Starting Line

Professional coach and champion sailor Mike Ingham guides us through the steps to defending a position on the starting line to get a fast and clean start.

By Mike Ingham

August 24, 2021

Updated: August 24, 2021

More: How-To, Ingham's insights, sailboat racing tips, starting, Tactics

More How To

Racing video cover for The Reach-Through Escape

The Reach-Through Escape: One Way to a Better Lane

Illustration of two sailboats sailing bow-into waves

A New Angle on Speed: Poling the Headsail

Executing A Pro-Level Comeback

A New Angle on Speed: Poling the Headsail

BirdyFish during Sailing World's BOTY trials

BirdyFish Race: Your Easy Ticket to Fly

SUBSCRIPTIONS

ABOUT US

FIRECROWN BRANDS

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Sailing World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Copyright © 2025 Sailing World Firecrown. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Sailboat Racing Tips: How to Hold Your Position on the Starting Line

The Reach-Through Escape: One Way to a Better Lane

Gear Shifting for Waves

A New Angle on Speed: Poling the Headsail

Executing A Pro-Level Comeback

Read More

Full Tilt At Zim Sailing

VX Two: The Big-Kid Skiff

A New Angle on Speed: Poling the Headsail

BirdyFish Race: Your Easy Ticket to Fly