2024 Season

Sailing Season Briefing

Team Yardsail

Version 1.0
April 1st, 2024

2024 Season
Sailing Season Briefing
Team Yardsail
Prepare By: Nathan Dunn

Program Leads: Ryan Gallant and Nathan Dunn

April 1, 2024 ndunn@naturalforces.ca Page 1

 2024 Season
Sailing Season Briefing
Team Yardsail

Intro
The Yardsail sailing program originated in 2017 as a means for young sailors who were aging out of
dinghy sailing to have an opportunity to transition to keelboat racing as this has proved to be a
challenging transition for many sailors. In 2023, the program refreshed most of its crew members and
focused on developing a new group of sailors.

In 2024, the team’s goal has shifted from baseline crew development to high level refinement and
execution. The team will be focusing on building on the experience gained during the last season to
achieve podium results at key events.

In addition to our standard program, the team will occasionally be bringing in new crew to build our
backup roaster and future team members.

Commitment Requirements
Teams do not improve without consistency, both in practicing and competing. In the past,
Individual team members generally did a great job consistently hitting the water every Monday night
to practice and every Wednesday night to race. To achieve the goals that have been set for the 2023
season, we must continue to make the most of our opportunities to improve both as a team and as
individuals.

The crew is expected to attend all important events (highlighted under Important Events in bold) from
May through till September. We understand that this is a big commitment, but this is what will be
expected of you this season if you sign on and if you sign on you should expect to be held accountable.

Commitments Period Estimated Sessions Required Attendance

Spring Training April 28 to June 24
th th
7-9 75% of All Sessions
Summer Training July 8th to Augst 5th 3-4 75% of All Sessions
One Design Regattas 3-4 Regattas All Events Mandatory
Prince of Wales September 14th 1 Day Mandatory
Chester Delivery August 11th and/or 18th One Way Mandatory
Boat Work Dates Shown on Page 6 15 Hours Total Mandatory

If you cannot make it to any of the scheduled practices, races, or events, please let us know in advance
and try to find a reasonable replacement crew member for yourself.

April 1, 2024 ndunn@naturalforces.ca Page 2

 2024 Season
Sailing Season Briefing
Team Yardsail

Monthly Team Focus and Goal Setting

Our crew will be embracing the traditional skill pyramid approach to keelboat crew development, with
an initial focus on crew work, maneuvers, and basic sail trim. As the season progresses, we will shift
our focus to dialing in our rig tune, advanced maneuvers, starting/racing tactics, etc. In the fall, we will
focus on crew development through rotating roles as well as completing up to offshore/distance races.

Month Focus Tangible Goal

May Boat Handling Basics
June Refine Maneuvers & Boat
Speed
July Boat Speed, Swapping Roles
Depending on Progress
One Design Results
August One Design Results
Review basic maneuvers, kinetics, and speed building.
Establish communication matrices.
Dial in boat speed.
Refine maneuvers, improve on advanced maneuvers,
and speed building under pressure.
Dial in boat speed through refined trimming/tuning.
Swap roles periodically so everyone understands how
each role impacts their primary role.
Charlottetown Race Week (Practice Peak Event)
Chester Race Week – Podium

September PHRF Results Prince of Wales – Podium

One Design Results Fall One Design (TBD) – Podium
Swapping Roles
October Season Each team member has baseline understanding of all
roles on the boat.

It is important to understand that the team’s success is largely dependent on the development of
each individual team member in their primary role. Specific goal setting during training as well as
racing and consistent debriefings will be critical to achieving our overall results as well as developing
long-term skills.

April 1, 2024 ndunn@naturalforces.ca Page 3

 2024 Season
Sailing Season Briefing
Team Yardsail

Crew Structure
The initial crew structure and crew list is as follows:

Primary Secondary Pre-Race

Role Team Member
Responsibility Responsibility Responsibility
Helmsman Boat Speed Executing Sail Selection and TBD
Maneuvers Rig Tuning

Main Boat Speed Executing Sail Selection and TBD

Maneuvers Rig Tuning

Trimmer 1 Gib/Guy Trim Relative Speed Sail Selection and TBD

Rig Tuning

Trimmer 2 Spinnaker Trim Fleet Clean-up TBD

Management

Tactician Tactics & Tactics & Laylines, mark TBD

Strategy Strategy positions, stat
line bias
Panel/Pit Sail Changes Compass Clean-up TBD
Numbers

Mast Sail Changes Wind on Course Rigging TBD

Bow Sail Changes Gusts and Waves Rigging, Transits TBD

Primary Crew
Nathan Dunn
Ryan Gallant
Jack Campbell
Alex Fraser
Savannah Taylor
Finley Nakatsu
Elsie Gillis
Liam Apold

Note, we will be bringing on new people occasionally and building a list of reserve team members. Any
recommendations for new or alternate crew members should be sent to Nathan and Ryan.

April 1, 2024 ndunn@naturalforces.ca Page 4

 2024 Season
Sailing Season Briefing
Team Yardsail

Important Events
Month Dates Events Goals/Info
April April 25th Deliver from Blandford
April 26th Launch, Rig, and Shakedown
April 26th Season Kickoff Meeting
April 27th Training Session #1
May May 1st Wednesday Night Racing Starts
TBD Icebreaker Regatta (TBD)
May 19th Lady’s First Race #1
May 24th – 26th Round Block Island Offshore (TBD
June June 1st - 2nd SailGP Fun
June 8th RNSYS Opening Regatta One Design Peak Event
June 15th – 16th DYC Opening Regatta PHRF (TBD)
June 22nd (TBD) BBYC Opening Regatta PHRF (TBD)
June 23rd Lady’s First Race #2 PHRF (TBD)
July July 1st Canada Day Race Fun
July 11th – 13th Charlottetown Race Week One Design Peak Event
July 14th Lady’s First Race #3 PHRF (TBD)
August August 9th Delivery to SMSC Delivery
Augst 10th – 11th Saint Margaret’s Annual Regatta Fun
August 11th Delivery to Chester Delivery (One way mandatory)
August 13th – 17th Chester Race Week One Design Peak Event
August 18th Delivery to Halifax Delivery (One way mandatory)
August 25th Lady’s First Race #4 PHRF
September August 30th – Vineyard Race (TBD) Offshore (TBD)
September 1st
September 9th – 11th Convoy Cup (TBD) Offshore (TBD)
September 14th Prince of Wales PHRF
September 15th Wenonah One Design (TBD)
TBD Fall One Design Regatta One Design (TBD)
September 29th Lady’s First Race #5 PHRF
October October 12th Turkey Bowl PHRF (Fun)
TBD Danginn PHRF (Fun)
October 19th Die Hard PHRF (Fun)
(TBD) Boat Teardown Mast out, boat out, etc.
(TBD) End of Season Maintenace Clean, winterize, etc.
November TBD Put Boat to Bed
November 2nd Awards Night (TBD)
December TBD Christmas Party & Season
Debrief

April 1, 2024 ndunn@naturalforces.ca Page 5

 2024 Season
Sailing Season Briefing
Team Yardsail

SailGP
SailGP is being hosted in Halifax in early June. Race days are June 1st and 2nd. On the water viewing will
likely be arranged for crew members.

Nate and Ryan will be coordinating boats for on the water viewing. Let them know if you’re interested.

Finley Nakatsu will be volunteering during the event. Let him know if you’re interested in helping out or
being a part of the process.

Other Sailing Opportunities

J22 Frostbiting: Racing starts March 30th and continues on Saturdays for 3-4 weeks.

Bluenose Racing: One design inshore racing starts weekly from June to September. Races are typically
Tuesday nights, Thursday nights, and Saturdays. If you’re interested, Ryan can connect you with boats
in the fleet.

Boat Work
Bottom Cleaning: The boat will need to be periodically hauled to keep the bottom clean, this must be
done every 2-3 weeks and especially the day before important events.

Interior & Deck Cleaning: Depending on how we treat the boat, this will need to be done every 4 weeks.
Rinsing the deck weekly and being tidy down below will make this less of a process.

Topsides Waxing: This needs to be done twice a season – once at the beginning and a second time in
July/August. This is roughly a four-hour job if done by two people.

Repairs: Generally, Ryan, Jack and Nate will take care of any repairs throughout the season, however if
you are willing and able to help it is always appreciated.

Mid-season Maintenance: this consists of servicing winches, spinnaker pole jaws, faulty blocks,
waxing the topsides, and cleaning/wet sanding the bottom going into the August regattas.

Other: Smaller jobs are required on a more regular basis, like emptying the dehumidifier, repairing
spinnakers, bailing the interior, etc.

More Information
Any questions or comments should be directed to Nathan Dunn and Ryan Gallant.

April 1, 2024 ndunn@naturalforces.ca Page 6