Steering & the wind

You can't sail straight into the wind — there's a no-go zone, so you zig-zag up (tack) and down (gybe). The number by your boat is your angle to the wind: 0° = into the wind, 180° = dead downwind.

Steer with the ◄ ► arrow keys.the ◄ ► buttons.

You drift to leeward

When you're slow, stopped, or pinching (pointing too high), the boat slips sideways downwind. Keep speed on to hold your lane — a stalled boat sags down the course. Controlling this drift is the heart of the pre-start.

Ease the main — slow down

Spill the wind to slow and hold station. It works upwind and reaching; it has no effect deep downwind (past ~160°).

Hold the ↓ down arrow.the EASE button.

Back the main — the brake

The hard stop. Close to the wind (under 60°) it drives you astern; deep downwind (120°+) it hauls the main right in and kills your speed — the deeper you point, the more (almost stopped by 180°). In between it does nothing.

Hold the ↑ up arrow.the BACK button.

The spinnaker

Sailing deep (100°+)? Hoist the kite for downwind speed. It takes time to set and to drop — and the higher you point, the slower it comes in. Carry it above 100° and you bleed speed, so: drop it deep, wait for it all the way in, then head up. You can't set it upwind.

Toggle with SPACE.the KITE button.

Marks & the view

Round each mark on the correct side and don't touch it — that's a penalty too. Zoom with +/− or the wheel; open the menu with M.Use the zoom wheel (left); the menu is ⏸ (top-right). Keep rule helpers on to see right-of-way drawn on the water.