Team Racing Companion

Team racing is fast and furious. It places a great deal of emphasis on teamwork, boat handling and rules knowledge. It is a fun sport in its own right and a great way of learning to become a future champion. Packed full with diagrams to illustrate the text, this companion describes the most useful moves around the race course, and the key rules that govern such moves. There are then sections on how to slow and how to overtake; how to win the start and how to control the final beat; the best routines for practising; how to develop as a team, from beginner to champion; the process for umpired sailing; and team roles, and how to make sure everyone enjoys playing a full part in the team. So whether you are an Optimist sailor, coach or parent, a student sailing for your school or college, or a club keelboat sailor looking to join in the club's team racing activities, this is the best investment you can make to improve your results and increase your fun.

Chris Atkins has distilled his 40 years' experience as a National Championship Winner, World Championship Winning Coach and Umpire into this handy, splash-proof, companion.

Praise for Team Racing Companion

"Team racing is often perceived as being overly complex, but this neat little publication from Fernhurst Books does its best to dispel that myth and break the subject down into bitesize chunks. The splashproof flip-book format is easy to flick through and perfect for teams and coaches wanting to refer to points on the go... This is a book that you will keep in your kit bag or pocket and refer to again and again!"
— Yachts & Yachting

"For the first time, what every team racer needs - a quick, concise guide to the game. Chris Atkins has distilled years of team racing knowledge to produce this handy guide. As an introduction to the game, there is no match. For those running a sailing programme, this is a great place to start if you are thinking of a weekend of team racing. Totally readable, great diagrams and in a very handy format."
— Bruce Hebbert

About the Author

Chris Atkins has team raced for over 45 years, winning the UK Team Racing National Championships 3 times and the Wilson Trophy twice. He coached Team GBR to gold at the first ISAF World Team Racing Championships and has twice been chief umpire at the World Championships. He was Chairman of Selectors for the GBR Olympic sailing team for Beijing and London.

He is an International Umpire and Judge, and World Sailing Umpire Instructor. Today Chris coaches and umpires team racing, running coaching sessions for the Optimist Class throughout the world. He has also served as Vice President of World Sailing.

About Fernhurst Books

Fernhurst Books was founded in 1979, initially publishing books related to dinghy racing. The list soon expanded to include cruising and other watersports. In 2006 the business was sold to John Wiley, but in 2013 a group of sailing enthusiasts (including the original founder) bought the list and name back, once again creating an independent nautical publisher owned and run by sailors. Fernhurst continues to publish books that instruct, inform and inspire those with a passion on, in or under the water. Their 140+ titles range from how-to guides to narrative to coffee-table books, covering sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, swimming, diving and fishing.