Tue August 4th, 2026
4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET
Upwind Sail Trim & Balance
with Kristen Berry | NorthU
Going fast upwind isn’t just for racers — it’s for anyone who wants their boat to feel the way it’s supposed to. Learn to read your sails, tune your rig, and find the groove that makes every sail more satisfying.
90-Minute Live Session
On Demand Replay Available
Live Q&A
Upwind performance is the backbone of almost every sail — and the place where most sailors give away the most enjoyment without even knowing it. Small adjustments to sail shape, lead position, and boat balance can mean the difference between fighting your boat and flowing with it. This online class breaks down the science and feel of upwind sailing into concepts any keelboat sailor can immediately put to use, whether you’re chasing a trophy or just chasing the horizon.
39
Upwind Sail Trim & Balance
Online Class Overview
This online class takes a systematic approach to understanding how mainsail and headsail trim work together to create speed and balance upwind. You’ll learn how to read telltales and sail shape, how to use your controls — travelers, backstay, cunningham, heet leads — to adapt to changing conditions, and how to find and maintain the groove where your boat feels locked in and alive. Whether you’re a club racer looking to close the gap on the fleet, a coastal cruiser tired of bashing upwind in discomfort, or simply someone who wants to finally understand what all those lines actually do, this online class gives you a clear framework for what you’re doing — and why it works.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is for any keelboat sailor who wants to get more out of their time on the water — racers and cruisers alike. If you’ve ever felt like your boat was working against you upwind, wondered why the sails look the way they do, or wanted a clearer understanding of how trim actually affects performance and comfort, this online class was built for you. No race experience required; curiosity and a desire to improve are the only prerequisites.
What Will I Learn?
You’ll come away with a clear understanding of how sail shape is created and controlled, and how mainsail and headsail trim work together to drive boat speed, comfort, and balance. You’ll develop a repeatable process for diagnosing trim problems and making confident adjustments — whether you’re pointing at a mark or pointing at a destination.
List of Topics:
- Understanding sail shape: draft, depth, and twist
- Headsail trim — heet angle, lead position, and telltale reading
- Mainsail trim — traveler, boom vang, backstay, and cunningham
- How to balance helm and reduce drag upwind
- Adjusting for wind strength and sea state
- Coordinating mainsail and headsail for maximum VMG
- Common upwind mistakes and how to fix them
- Building a trim checklist for your boat
UPWIND SAIL TRIM & BALANCE
FIND THE GROOVE UPWIND
Sailing upwind is where great sail trim makes the biggest difference. Small adjustments to sail shape, trim, and boat balance can transform a sluggish, hard-to-steer boat into one that feels smooth, responsive, and fast. In this online class, Kristen Berry explains the principles of upwind sail trim and shows you how to consistently find the groove that maximizes speed, comfort, and control.
MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FAST UPWIND SAILING
Learn how mainsail and headsail trim work together to create lift, balance, and pointing ability. You’ll discover how to read telltales, control draft and twist, and use travelers, backstay, cunningham, sheet leads, and other sail controls to adapt to changing wind and sea conditions. Whether you’re racing around the buoys or cruising toward your next destination, you’ll gain a practical understanding of what each adjustment does—and when to use it.
BUILD CONFIDENCE EVERY TIME YOU HEAD UPWIND
The fastest boats aren’t always the ones with the newest sails—they’re the ones trimmed correctly. Whether you’re trying to improve your VMG, reduce weather helm, or simply make your boat more comfortable to sail, this class provides a repeatable framework for diagnosing trim issues and making smart adjustments. You’ll finish with the knowledge and confidence to sail higher, faster, and more efficiently in a wide range of conditions.
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 4th
@ 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!