Tue August 11th, 2026
4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET
Downwind, Reaching & Sail Trim
with Kristen Berry
The fun half of sailing deserves more than a lucky gybe and a prayer. Learn to harness the power of reaching and running sails — and turn the back half of every course into your secret weapon.
90-Minute Live Session
On Demand Replay Available
Live Q&A
Sailing downwind and on a reach is where boats find their top speed — and where untrained crews often give back everything they gained upwind. Understanding how to trim for power, manage sail shape in shifting pressure, and keep the boat balanced when the wind is behind you transforms the second half of every sail from survival mode into pure enjoyment. This online classe gives any keelboat sailor the tools to sail fast, stay in control, and actually look forward to the gybe.
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Downwind, Reaching & Sail Trim
Online Class Overview
This online class covers the full spectrum of off-the-wind sailing, from close reaches to deep runs, with and without spinnakers. You’ll learn how mainsail, headsail, and spinnaker trim interact to generate speed and control, how to read pressure and angle changes and respond with confidence, and how to manage the unique challenges of downwind sailing — including rolling, broaching, and the dreaded accidental gybe. Whether you’re a racer chasing VMG on the run or a cruiser trying to make a comfortable passage in following seas, this online class gives you a clear, practical framework for sailing fast and staying in control when the wind is behind you.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is for any keelboat sailor who wants to get more out of the downwind and reaching legs — whether you’re racing, cruising, or just trying to stop white-knuckling every gybe. If you’ve ever watched a spinnaker fill beautifully on another boat while yours turned into a colorful windsock, or felt your boat take on a life of its own in a puff on a run, this online class was made for you. No offshore experience required — just a willingness to learn what’s actually happening back there.
What Will I Learn?
You’ll come away with a solid understanding of how sail trim, boat angle, and crew weight interact to generate speed and stability off the wind — and how to make fast, confident adjustments as conditions change. You’ll also develop the situational awareness to anticipate pressure shifts, manage gybes smoothly, and keep your boat powered up and in control from the first reach to the final mark.
List of Topics:
- Understanding the difference between reaching and running — and why it matters
- Mainsail trim off the wind — traveler, vang, and twist
- Headsail trim on a reach — sheet lead, furling, and poling out
- Spinnaker basics — set, trim, gybe, and douse
- Reading apparent wind downwind and adjusting sail angle
- Managing boat balance, heel, and weather helm off the wind
- Avoiding and recovering from broaches and accidental gybes
- Downwind VMG — when to heat up, when to soak, and how to know the difference
DOWNWIND, REACHING & SAIL TRIM
MASTER THE FASTEST POINTS OF SAIL
Downwind and reaching are where sailboats come alive—but they’re also where many sailors lose speed, control, and confidence. From changing apparent wind angles to smooth gybes and balanced sail trim, sailing off the wind requires a different set of skills than beating upwind. In this online class, Kristen Berry breaks down the techniques that help sailors maximize speed, maintain control, and sail confidently from close reaches to deep runs.
TRIM FOR SPEED. SAIL WITH CONFIDENCE.
Whether you’re sailing with a jib alone or flying a spinnaker, understanding how your sails work together is the key to fast, controlled off-the-wind performance. You’ll learn how to trim your mainsail, headsail, and spinnaker for changing wind angles, manage traveler, vang, and sail shape, read apparent wind, and prevent common mistakes like broaches and accidental gybes. From VMG strategy to smooth sail handling, you’ll gain practical techniques that translate directly to better sailing.
MAKE EVERY DOWNWIND LEG YOUR STRONGEST
The best sailors don’t just survive the run—they make it their advantage. Whether you’re racing around the marks, cruising in following seas, or simply looking to stop white-knuckling every gybe, this online class will help you sail faster, smoother, and with greater control. You’ll finish with a clear understanding of off-the-wind sail trim and the confidence to make smart, efficient adjustments as conditions change.
Your Host
Kristen Berry
Kristen Berry is a performance sailing coach, North U instructor, and Director of American Sailing Performance — with years of experience turning sailors into faster, more confident racers on the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. He has competed at the club, regional, and national levels and brings a coach’s eye and a sailor’s instincts to everything he teaches. Kristen’s approach blends technical precision with real-world application: he doesn’t just explain what to do, he explains why it works — and what to do when it doesn’t. When he’s not on the water or in front of a classroom, he’s probably trimming something on some boat somewhere.
Online Class Registration
Tuesday, August 11th
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
On-Demand Access
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you’re not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!