Downwind, Reaching & Sail Trim

with

Kristen Berry

NorthU

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.

FREE

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 Essentials

Understand Downwind, Reaching & Sail Trim

This class helps sailors build practical knowledge and confidence related to downwind, reaching & sail trim.

Develop Practical Skills

This class helps sailors build practical knowledge and confidence related to downwind, reaching & sail trim. The class connects these concepts to practical decisions and techniques sailors can use while working with downwind, reaching & sail trim.

Apply What You Learn

This class helps sailors build practical knowledge and confidence related to downwind, reaching & sail trim. By understanding the process before you are under pressure, you can make safer, more confident decisions on the water.

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.

Get the class Bundle

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Online Class Registration

@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)

Regular Price

ASA Member Price

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!

Online Course
Course*
- Downwind Reaching & Sail Trim
ASA Certification
ASA Online Achievement Seal
- ASA Online Achievement Seal
  *recommended
  $19.00
By completing this entire course you can earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal - an official ASA seal that can be entered into your ASA Logbook!
Official ASA Logbook
- ASA Logbook
  $29.99
The ASA Logbook is a living document that chronicles your certifications and can also be used to keep a record of any and all sea-hours accrued along the way. If you chose to earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal and don't have an ASA Logbook then you *must* chose this option and purchase one.
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