Steers, co-ordinates
manoeuvres, adjusts backstay , does runners on tacks , and calls the
close quarter tactics . Stays calm when all about is chaos. If you
believe that you will believe anything! However, as the only crew
member who isn't pulling/winding/grinding or generally working hard
with head down - they are in the best position to direct affairs when
the shit hits the fan!
Runs
the gybes and gybe hoists – taking one of the spinnaker sheets. Takes
spi sheet from trimmer before manoeuvres/drops. Grinds for spi trimmer
until she can persuade someone else to take over! Gathers spi on drops
(either in cockpit or in the case of a foredeck drop, inside the
fore hatch) Packs spi. Acts as a back up to whoever is in trouble. Can usefully be combined with navigators role.
Trims
main! When it blows needs to be strong – and understand sail shape.
Talks speed to helm and tactician. Ideally looks at heading and calls
shifts.
Controls genoa most of the time, good on sailshapes and preferably powerful. Takes one of the spi sheets during gybes and gybe hoists. Works with the Pianist to record and duplicate fastest
fairlead and halyard settings .
Lets
off genoa in tacking , combining with the Genoa Trimmer in one of
several ways to sheet in new
side( tailing , inserting winch handle depending on preference) . Trims Spi Guy through most manoeuvres
and on downwind legs. Gybes genoa on bear away set AND pulls on new guy although could swap this
job with genoa trimmer who otherwise takes a spi sheet. ( see notes
on bear away set)
Plays
spinnaker sheet from the windward
side deck – with various crew members taking it in turn to grind for
him/her. Struts windward spi sheet thro gybes and hoists.Gybes runners when its blowing hard . Gathers
spi on drops. Upwind hikes with GPS in hand, monitoring and recording CMG on each tack and comparing this with bearing of mark to
assist with layline judgement. Acts as link between foredeck and cockpit
and generally contributes to upwind
tactics and nav..
In
charge of halyards. In the prestart records fastest halyard settings
(tunes the piano) and ensures that they are duplicated at each hoist.
Keeps pit immaculate , halyards flaked , and adjusts vang / outhaul in discussion with main trimmer. Can
be overloaded coming into a mark rounding so needs to ensure manoeuvres
are initiated in time. Responsible for flaking halards , sheets and
guys prior to spi drop. May fly kite in more complex drops. Links
foredeck and cockpit and may well be crew boss.
Works
with bow to ensure that halyards remain untwisted , genoas are plugged
in , hoisted ,retrieved and secured, the pole goes up and down the mast
, spinnaker is set and retrieved , pole is tripped through the gybe. Needs to be strong and fasts so sails appear
like magic! Helps retrieve spi. Upwind , helps with mark spotting and
plans downwind strategy /worklist with Bow
Calls
the line at the start (gets transit in prestart). Works with Mast
as above but tends to do the wet bits at the front. Sets everything
up for the manoeuvres to come (hoists, tack changes, peels etc), blows the kite from the bow at spi drops. Tidies away pole, skirts
genoa. Finishes first!
Usually
Lynda who combines nav with running
the gybes as sweeper'. Works with whoever is doing
tactics to get optimum course , lay lines, wind shifts, tidal factors
and meteorology.
Tactician
Taken by one of the above.
Works
with helm and Navigator (and the rest of the crew if possible) – keeps
concentrating on wider picture, including wind, tide, how the next
leg influences the end of this one etc.
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