The Winner's Guide to Optimist Sailing

<h4>Introduction by Joni Palmer, Executive Director, U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association</h4><h2>Part I: Welcome to Optimist Sailing</h2><h3>Optimist Fun</h3><h3>How the Optimist Came to Be</h3><h2>Part II: Getting Started</h2><h3>The Boat and Equipment</h3><h4>Parts of the Boat</h4><h4>Lines and Equipment</h4><h3>Safety</h3><h3>Boating Etiquette</h3><h3>Knots for Optimists</h3><h5>Square Knot</h5><h5>Square Knot with Keeper</h5><h5>Bowline</h5><h5>Clove Hitch</h5><h5>One-Design Knot</h5><h5>Tying to a Cleat</h5><h5>Stopper Knot</h5><h3>Transporting Your Dinghy</h3><h5>Checklist</h5><h3>Care of Boat and Rig</h3><h2>Part III: Let's Go Sailing</h2><h3>How a Boat Sails</h3><h4>The Points of Sailing</h4><h4>Preparation Before Sailing</h4><h3>Rigging</h3><h3>Changes in Course</h3><h3>Basic Tips</h3><h5>Where Do You Sit When Sailing?</h5><h5>How Do You Hold the Tiller?</h5><h5>How Do You Hold the Mainsheet?</h5><h5>How Do You Turn the Boat?</h5><h3>Launching</h3><h5>Windward Shore Tips</h5><h5>Leeward Shore Tips</h5><h5>Final Preparation</h5><h3>On the Water</h3><h5>Sailing on a Reach</h5><h5>Tacking</h5><h5>Running</h5><h5>Jibing</h5><h5>Upwind</h5><h5>Landing</h5><h5>Acceleration, Slowing Down, and Stopping</h5><h5>Sailing Out of the No-Go Zone</h5><h3>Weather Awareness</h3><h5>Reading the Wind</h5><h3>Waves, Current, and Tides</h3><h5>Waves</h5><h5>Current</h5><h5>Tides</h5><h2>Part IV: Fine-Tuning Your Skills</h2><h3>Going Faster</h3><h4>Rigging the Racing Rig</h4><h4>Sail Shape</h4><h4>Tying On Your Sail</h4><h4>Sailing to Windward</h4><h4>Sailing on a Reach</h4><h4>Sailing on a Run</h4><h4>Planing</h4><h4>Things to Avoid Downwind</h4><h4>Tacking</h4><h4>Jibing</h4><h4>Meeting an Obstruction</h4><h4>Capsizing</h4><h3>Basic Rules of the Road</h3><h5>Starboard Tack Has Right-of-Way</h5><h5>Tacking (or Jibing) Boat Must Stay Clear</h5><h5>Same Tack--Overlapped</h5><h5>Same Tack--Not Overlapped</h5><h5>Powerboats Must Stay Clear of Sailboats</h5><h4>Other Rules and Tips</h4><h2>Part V: Racing</h2><h3>Competition</h3><h4>First Race</h4><h4>Fast Starts</h4><h4>Starting in Light Wind</h4><h4>Determining Where to Start</h4><h4>Port-Tack Start</h4><h4>Dip Start</h4><h4>Barging Start</h4><h4>Starting Line Exits</h4><h4>Upwind Tactics</h4><h4>Approaching the Windward Mark</h4><h4>The Reaching Leg</h4><h4>The Run</h4><h4>Rounding the Leeward Mark</h4><h4>Fast Finishes</h4><h4>Dealing with Protests</h4><h4>Subtle Strategies</h4><h3>Your Health and Fitness for Sailing</h3><h4>Physical Fitness</h4><h4>Eating Right</h4><h4>Sleeping RIght</h4><h2>Part VI: Coaching Opti Sailing</h2><h3>Coaching Young Sailors</h3><h4>Teaching Format</h4><h4>On-the-Water Coaching Techniques</h4><h4>Instructor's Safety Review</h4><h4>Drills to Improve Boat Handling</h4><h4>Drills to Improve Speed</h4><h3>Practice</h3><h4>Practicing Alone</h4><h4>Practicing in Pairs</h4><h4>Practicing in a Fleet</h4><h2>Part VII: For Parents Only</h2><h3>OptiMania: A Note for Parents</h3><h4>Tips for Parents: Preparing for Opti Regattas</h4><h2>Part VIII: The Eternal Optimist</h2><h3>The Eternal Optimist</h3><h5>Classes</h5><h5>Handicap Racing/One-Design Offshore</h5><h5>Scholastic Sailing</h5><h5>Collegiate Sailing</h5><h5>The Olympics</h5><h5>The America's Cup and Match Racing</h5><h5>Team Racing</h5><h5>Day Sailing</h5><h5>Cruising</h5><h4>Glossary</h4><h4>Acknowledgments</h4><h4>Index</h4><h4>About the Authors</h4>