Dave Dellenbaugh, member of the 2025 Class of the National Sailing Hall of Fame, discusses mark roundings in WindCheck magazine:
Whenever you approach a jibe mark, your strategic challenge is how you would make the fastest, smartest rounding in the existing conditions, assuming there are no other boats around. Once you know this, you can use tactical moves to implement this strategy in the middle of a fleet.
Getting around a jibe mark without wasting time or distance requires many different skills and teamwork. You must be able to turn your boat smoothly, handle the sails efficiently, and choose an optimal course around the mark. – Full report
Editor’s note: Dave’s been writing about the sport for a long time… back when jibe marks were more the norm than a rarity.