boat racing nz

What is a dial-up and a dial-down in boat racing?

In the America’s cup, the NZ and SWD boats went into a dial down. What is a dial down? Also, at the start of the race there is a thing called a dial up. Can someone explain what these terms mean?

In the US we generally use “come up” (come up into the wind) or “come down” (also fall off the wind). (Although, you could go through a gybe then come all the way up.)

Dial-up/Dial-down.
Dial, as in the face of a clock; the wind blowing from 12:00. “Dial-up” is a maneuver, (with the bow) “Up” towards the wind (12:00)”. “Dial down” is a maneuver towards the 6:00 position. Both with respect of the wind coming from 12:00. Dial-up performed while tacking, on a close reach, or rounding a leeward mark.

These tactics can give the originator an advantage if they can trap one’s opponent in a disadvantageous position. For instance, if Boat A can sail Higher (closer to 12:00) than Boat B, and if boat A can be to leeward, then boat A can come up into the wind and force Boat B either to come up and stall or to have to tack away. In both cases Boat B loses speed and position with respect to the next mark.

F1 Boat racing NZ Robbo Pt2

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