The Winner's Guide to Optimist Sailing »

Gary Jobson has won ten national one-design sailing titles, the America's Cup, and many ocean races. In 1999, he received the U.S. Sailing Association's most prestigious award, the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy. In 2003 Gary was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame. He is an editor at large for Cruising World and Sailing World and has been ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. Jay Kehoe has coached six U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association international racing teams and has served on the coaching staff of the U.S. Optimist National Team. Formerly head sailing coach at Yale University and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he is now head sailing coach at Stanford University.

The Complete Instructional Manual for the International Optimist Dinghy Class

The International Optimist is the largest youth one-design sailing class in the world, with 400,000 boats registered in more than 95 countries. The Winner's Guide to Optimist Sailing is the most comprehensive guide to this popular boat ever written. Its step-by-step format is perfect for young sailors, and special sections offer advice for parents and coaches. Written by champion sailors and sailing coaches Gary Jobson and Jay Kehoe, The Winner's Guide to Optimist Sailing gives you everything you need to know about:

• Equipment, lines, and useful knots
• Basic sailing tips, including where to sit, how to launch and land, tacking, jibing, and Rules of the Road
• Weather awareness
• More advanced sailing skills—going faster!
• Racing, including starts, upwind tactics, finishes, and dealing with protests
• Practicing alone or in groups
• Opti events, including tips for parents, plus scholastic and collegiate sailing, and the Olympics

"A comprehensive guide for kids learning to sail and race in Optis."—Sailing World

Gary Jobson has won ten national one-design sailing titles, the America's Cup, and many ocean races. In 1999, he received the U.S. Sailing Association's most prestigious award, the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy. In 2003 Gary was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame. He is an editor at large for Cruising World and Sailing World and has been ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. Jay Kehoe has coached six U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association international racing teams and has served on the coaching staff of the U.S. Optimist National Team. Formerly head sailing coach at Yale University and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he is now head sailing coach at Stanford University.

Introduction by Joni Palmer, Executive Director, U.S. Optimist Dinghy AssociationPart I: Welcome to Optimist SailingOptimist FunHow the Optimist Came to BePart II: Getting StartedThe Boat and EquipmentParts of the BoatLines and EquipmentSafetyBoating EtiquetteKnots for OptimistsSquare KnotSquare Knot with KeeperBowlineClove HitchOne-Design KnotTying to a CleatStopper KnotTransporting Your DinghyChecklistCare of Boat and RigPart III: Let's Go SailingHow a Boat SailsThe Points of SailingPreparation Before SailingRiggingChanges in CourseBasic TipsWhere Do You Sit When Sailing?How Do You Hold the Tiller?How Do You Hold the Mainsheet?How Do You Turn the Boat?LaunchingWindward Shore TipsLeeward Shore TipsFinal PreparationOn the WaterSailing on a ReachTackingRunningJibingUpwindLandingAcceleration, Slowing Down, and StoppingSailing Out of the No-Go ZoneWeather AwarenessReading the WindWaves, Current, and TidesWavesCurrentTidesPart IV: Fine-Tuning Your SkillsGoing FasterRigging the Racing RigSail ShapeTying On Your SailSailing to WindwardSailing on a ReachSailing on a RunPlaningThings to Avoid DownwindTackingJibingMeeting an ObstructionCapsizingBasic Rules of the RoadStarboard Tack Has Right-of-WayTacking (or Jibing) Boat Must Stay ClearSame Tack—OverlappedSame Tack—Not OverlappedPowerboats Must Stay Clear of SailboatsOther Rules and TipsPart V: RacingCompetitionFirst RaceFast StartsStarting in Light WindDetermining Where to StartPort-Tack StartDip StartBarging StartStarting Line ExitsUpwind TacticsApproaching the Windward MarkThe Reaching LegThe RunRounding the Leeward MarkFast FinishesDealing with ProtestsSubtle StrategiesYour Health and Fitness for SailingPhysical FitnessEating RightSleeping RIghtPart VI: Coaching Opti SailingCoaching Young SailorsTeaching FormatOn-the-Water Coaching TechniquesInstructor's Safety ReviewDrills to Improve Boat HandlingDrills to Improve SpeedPracticePracticing AlonePracticing in PairsPracticing in a FleetPart VII: For Parents OnlyOptiMania: A Note for ParentsTips for Parents: Preparing for Opti RegattasPart VIII: The Eternal OptimistThe Eternal OptimistClassesHandicap Racing/One-Design OffshoreScholastic SailingCollegiate SailingThe OlympicsThe America's Cup and Match RacingTeam RacingDay SailingCruisingGlossaryAcknowledgmentsIndexAbout the Authors