Sailboat racing requires a broad mix of skills: There's tactics, and an understanding of wind and weather. We also need sailing and boat handling skills, specialized sail trimming skills, organizational skills to manage crew, and analytical skills to grapple with constantly changing information. We need to be able to set goals and establish priorities, concentrate amidst chaos, ignore discomfort, and learn from our mistakes.
None of us can master all the skills, and every race challenges us in new ways,....for no two races are alike (though sometimes our results are!). Part of the enduring appeal of racing is the breadth of the challenge it provides.
The appeal of sailboat racing goes beyond these challenges....We enjoy racing for the chance to be out on the water, for the thrill of working with the wind, for the challenge of competition, and the camaraderie racing brings.
Thanks Bill Gladstone, for the wise words