Where do I Start?

The starting line is set, you have sailed upwind and tuned up and are ready to race. First decision, where to position yourself on the starting line. Although there are many considerations, for starters, we must determine which end of the line is "favored." Which means unless the race committee has set a perfect line perpindicular to the wind (a right angle, 90 degrees) one end will be further upwind than the other. The easy way to check is to sail along the line then head up pointing straight into the wind, as if you were going to get stuck in irons, then note which end your bow is pointing towards. This simply is the end that is furthest upwind and will give you an immediate head start if you start closer to that end relative to those boats that start further away. Still more to come making your final decision regarding where to start, but this will do the trick in a pinch.