A SpinSheet Classic: Tucker's Tips for Juniors, from 1995

Throwback to the premier issue of SpinSheet

This year SpinSheet celebrates 30 years of covering sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. To mark the occasion, we're taking a look back to year one. Tucker Thompson penned this article for our premier issue of  in the late summer of 1995. At the time, he was a member of the winning St. Mary’s College of Maryland sailing team and a 420 coach at Annapolis Yacht Club’s junior program. He received college credit for his “tips” articles:

Tucker's Tips SpinSheet premier issue

Tucker's Tips for Juniors

One of the keys to winning a regatta is preparation. Often the regatta is won before the boats even hit the water. There are four major areas to consider when preparing for any regatta:
Equipment Preparation
Make certain your sails are in top shape, your hull and foils are smooth and faired, your boat is clean and all excess weight is removed. Inspect your deck hardware and bring it all to perfect condition. Also check the condition of your sailing gear (boots, lifejacket, gloves, etc.). Don’t forget to bring a water bottle, bailer, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Physical Preparation
Your goal is to be as strong or stronger than your competitors and be able to endure and be fast in any given conditions. A nutritious diet, the right amount of sleep and stretching before going out onto the water are a must. Weight training certainly helps, but there’s no better exercise for sailing than practicing in the boat itself.

Mental Preparation
Many sailors overlook this aspect of preparation. Setting goals, recording and reviewing past sailing experiences, and having a positive attitude are keys to winning on the water. Visualizing your race before going out on the water is also a great idea.

Strategic Preparation
Review local charts, current tables, and weather patterns. Talk to local sailors and take note of how the land may affect the wind. Use as many inputs as possible when formulating your strategy. Make sure you read and understand all of the sailing instructions and attend the skipper’s meeting. Ask questions if you aren’t clear on something—the answer could help give you the winning edge.

Where is he now?

Tucker Thompson
Tucker Thompson

After graduating from St. Mary’s College as a national champion Tucker sailed with the America True AC team in New Zealand, started T2P.TV with Bruce Nairn, and as a sailing commentator and TV host, he covered many of sailing’s top global events including five America’s Cups. Having returned from AC37 in Barcelona, he now owns Range & Bearing’s, which designs custom apparel and merchandise for yacht club stores.