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Speed & Strategy
Powered By North U
Unlock your next level of performance with North U’s new Speed and Strategy seminar. This full-day, in-person course blends expert instruction on sail trim, boat handling, and winning course strategy to help you sail faster and smarter. Taught by seasoned North U coaches, the interactive classroom sessions turn complex racing concepts into practical skills you can use on the water immediately. If you’re ready to boost your speed, sharpen your decision-making, and elevate your racing game, Speed and Strategy is your new secret weapon.
As someone with limited racing experience this seminar was well organized and easy to follow. Having the instructor take time to answer questions was very helpful.
GJ
The instructors grasp of the material and informal manner put the class at ease and allowed for great interaction. Tremendous knowledge and entertaining too!
J. Franklin
Why Attend A Seminar?
Racing success isn’t built on any single skill—it’s the combination of speed, strategy, and execution. This seminar ties these elements together so you can:
- Make better tactical decisions based on real wind patterns—not guesswork
- Spot and capitalize on opportunities before your rivals see them
- Sail faster upwind and downwind through improved trim and coordination
- Round marks cleanly, avoid costly penalties, and maintain control in tight situations
- Recover when things go wrong and protect your lead when things go right
- Understand the rules well enough to use them confidently and fairly to your advantage
In short: you’ll sail smarter, faster, and with far more intention, turning the art and science of racing into tools you can apply the next time you hit the starting line.
Who Should Take This Seminar?
This seminar is designed for racers of all levels who want to sharpen both their strategic thinking and their boatspeed. It’s ideal for:
- Club racers looking to break into the top of the fleet
- Experienced sailors seeking a deeper understanding of wind, weather, and performance
- Crews who want to work better as a team and improve communication
- Skippers who want to make smarter decisions, trim more effectively, and sail more confidently
- Anyone who has ever finished a race thinking, “I know there were gains out there—I just didn’t find them.”
Whether you sail a dinghy, keelboat, or offshore racer, the principles covered are universal, applicable, and immediately useful on the racecourse.
What Will I Learn?
This Speed & Strategy seminar will teach you techniques to improve your performance all the way around the course. We'll cover starts, upwind legs, downwind legs, and mark roundings and for each, we'll break down the strategy, tactics, and rules that will help get you to the podium.Powered by North U
North U has been the leader in performance sailing courses since 1980. Their programs offer the latest in sailing techniques in an engaging interactive format that makes the course fun and effective. North U seminars feature great instructors – expert sailors with years of teaching experience.Upwind Strategy & Tactics
The day begins with the building blocks of smart upwind sailing. Participants learn how to read the racecourse, understand wind behavior, and position their boat for maximum advantage. Key topics include:
- Fundamentals of upwind strategy
- Predicting and benefiting from changing wind and wind shifts
- What to do when the wind becomes unpredictable
- How shifts and fleet positioning create gains—or protect against losses
- Using current to improve outcomes
- Tactical positioning across the fleet and in one-on-one duels
- How rules influence tactical choices and risk management
- Changing priorities as you move up the beat
- Tools and techniques for both catching up and holding a lead
Downwind Strategy & Tactics
The seminar then switches to the unique challenges of sailing downwind, where gains can be huge and mistakes can be costly. Sailors explore:
- Why downwind strategy differs from upwind strategy
- Inside vs. outside reaches; running vs. reaching
- Proper decision-making across various winds, shifts, and currents
- How wind shifts reshape the downwind “playing field”
- Techniques for finding, predicting, and exploiting elusive downwind shifts
- What to do when the wind is uncertain or unstable
- Positioning to use current to your advantage
- Smart tactics in mixed-fleet and multi-fleet racing
Mark Roundings & Finishing Tactics & Rules
Fast, clean roundings and confident finishing moves separate the good from the great. This section dives into:
- Fast approaches at windward marks and best practices at leeward marks and gates
- Essential Right-of-Way, Limiting, and Mark-Room rules
- How to apply the rules in real rounding and finishing scenarios
- Upwind and downwind finishing strategy
- Analysis of common tactical situations as they evolve
- Understanding the rationale behind the rules to make quick, accurate decisions on the water
SAILING UPWIND SPEED
Speed is the foundation of all strategy. The seminar provides a deep look at how modern boats generate lift and how small adjustments translate into major performance gains. Topics include:
- Mainsail and jib trim fundamentals
- Helming technique and balance
- Angle of attack, sail depth, and twist—how they create and control power
- Diagnosing and solving trim challenges with “Trim Solutions”
- Hands-on learning with the interactive Sail Trim Simulator
- Real-world examples through video and case studies
Sailing Downwind Speed
Downwind performance requires teamwork, finesse, and continuous refinement. Participants learn:
- Symmetric and asymmetric spinnaker fundamentals
- Shape control, pole height, tackline settings, and advanced adjustments
- Reaching and running techniques
- Crew coordination—trim, helm, and weight placement
- Light-air pace and heavy-air control
- Downwind trim for boats sailing under jib and main alone
LIST OF TOPICS
Introduction
- The Racing Pyramid
- Performance Analysis
Upwind Sail Trim
- Theory in Brief
- Goal Oriented Trim
- Genoa Trim
- Mainsail Trim
- Helmsmanship
- Target Boat speed
- Total Power Trim
- Trim, Speed, Balance
- Trim Solutions
Symmetric Spinnaker Trim
- Initial Spinnaker Trim
- Reaching Trim
- Running Trim
- Light Air Performance
- Heavy Air Control
- Pole Height & Spinnaker Shape
Asymmetric Spinnaker Trim
- Initial Asymmetric Trim
- Reaching Trim
- Running Trim
- Tackline Settings
Jib and Main Trim
- Jib Reaching
- Running Trim
Mark Roundings
- Approaches
- Finishing Strategies
- Why Mark Roundings Matter
- Approaching the Mark
- Types of Marks & Their Roundings
- Common Errors & How to Avoid Them
- Crew Roles & Communication
- Drills & Training Ideas
Starts
- Five elements of a perfect start
- Start Set up and planning
- Approaching the line to start
- Holding your lane
- Recovering from catastrophe
- and more!
TEXTBOOKS
The North U Performance Tactics seventh edition covers tactics, rules, weather, and strategy in 180 information-packed pages. The fast moving, easy to follow format is accessible to all readers. Rules are covered the way you use them – (ie upwind rules as part of upwind tactics). The content offers complete information for neophytes and insights which grab the attention of the saltiest dog. Quizzes and skill building sections show how to develop a race winning approach.
The North U Performance Trim and North U Performance Racing Tactics books are NOT included in the registration fee, and will not be available to buy in person at the seminar. We strongly recommend you order any books in advance from the American Sailing Online Store.
FREE TEXTBOOKThe first 30 people to register will receive a FREE TEXTBOOK, including FREE shipping within the US. Customers outside the US can still claim a FREE textbook but will be required to pay for shipping.
ON-DEMAND CONTENT
To complement the in-person seminars we are offering attendees the option to also own the online classes. Get instant access to these on-demand classes when you register and prepare for your seminar today. Plus you'll have unlimited access so after the seminar is over you have the opportunity to review topics as often as you need.
SAVE 75% + INSTANT ACCESSWhen you register for the seminar be sure to choose one or both North U Performance Sailing Online Classes and SAVE 75%! Your confirmation email will contain instructions on how to access the on-demand classes instantly!
YOUR HOST
Seattle sailing ClubSince its inception, Seattle Sailing Club has been a cornerstone of sailing on Puget Sound, blending the thrill of the water with a vibrant community. With a mission to make sailing fun and accessible, the Club has become one of the most active American Sailing certification schools in the nation, known for its professional, safety-focused, and enjoyable courses taught by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed and American Sailing-certified instructors.
Beyond the boats, the Club thrives on its welcoming community spirit. From flotillas and races to seminars, women’s programs, and lively social events, Seattle Sailing Club is a hub for sailors of all levels. Whether you’re just learning to sail or have crossed oceans, the Club invites you to join a thriving community of great sailors and even greater friends. Learn more at seattlesailing.com.
THE VENUE
CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUBCorinthian Yacht Club of Seattle (CYC) has been a cornerstone of sailing excellence and camaraderie since its founding in the early 1940s by a group of Seattle sailors committed to creating an inclusive and competitive racing club. Nestled in Shilshole Bay Marina, CYC has become a hub of maritime activity, offering a robust calendar of over 150 days of racing annually, making it one of the most active sailing clubs in the nation.
Kristen Berry
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Kristen Berry is a dedicated sailing educator and US Sailing-certified instructor with a passion for helping sailors of all levels achieve their goals. As the owner of Gale Force Sailing in Annapolis, MD, Kristen provides personalized training and expert coaching, blending hands-on experience with an approachable teaching style. His extensive background includes working with the U.S. Naval Academy’s Basic Sail Training program and serving as an advisory board member for New York’s Hudson River Community Sailing organization.
With leadership experience as a director at J World Annapolis and the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore, Kristen brings a wealth of knowledge to his instruction. His commitment to environmental conservation and advocacy is evident through his previous roles with the National Audubon Society and as founder of BirdPAC. Kristen’s diverse expertise, coupled with his engaging teaching methods, makes him a highly sought-after guide in the world of sailing education. [READ MORE]
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE - THIS SEMINAR WILL SELL OUT, SO REGISTER TODAY!
SEMINAR REGISTRATION
All prices are in USDSaturday, January 31st, 2026
9:00AM - 4:00PM ET
Corinthian Yacht Club
7755 Seaview Avenue NW, Seattle WA 98117
Regular Price
$149USD
ASA Member Price
$127USD
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Receive a full refund of your registration fee (including fees paid for certifications) if you cancel at least 14 days before the event. Fees for textbooks and on-demand content are non-refundable.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT - SAVE 15%
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you're not a current member then you join or renew today!
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