Team Race Call G1
 When a boat is sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies.  However, if her crew is holding her boom on the windward side, she is now neither running directly downwind nor sailing by the lee. She is therefore on the tack corresponding to the side that is away from the wind. 
Question 1
A boat sailing downwind on starboard tack bears away until she is sailing by the lee, with the wind continuing to fill her mainsail. Which tack is she on?
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Answer 1
Starboard tack. The definition states that 'when (a boat is) sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies'.  Since her mainsail remains filled on her port side, the port side is her leeward side. She is on the tack 'corresponding to her windward side', i.e. starboard tack.


Question 2
The boat now bears away further, with her boom still out over her port side, because now her crew is holding it there while the wind is backing her mainsail. Which tack is she now on?


Answer 2
Port tack. She is now neither running directly downwind nor sailing by the lee. A boat is on the tack corresponding to her windward side, that is the side towards the wind. There can be no doubt that this side is her port side and therefore she is on port tack. 


Question 3
A boat on starboard tack bears away until she heads directly downwind. To slow her speed, her crew holds the boom along the centreline. The wind is hitting the port side of her mainsail, although only her leech moving towards her starboard side indicates this. Which tack is she on?


Answer 3
Port tack. As she is sailing directly downwind her leeward side is defined as the side on which her mainsail lies. This is her starboard side. She is therefore on port tack.
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