Top Mark Strategy Framework

A simple way to navigate the final third of an upwind

When a fleet compresses at a top mark, the opportunities to gain or lose places are huge.

Knowing when to get to the layline, which layline to pick and how to approach the mark can make or break your first upwind.

There’s many situations where you’re in a good position halfway up the first upwind, but by the time you get to the top mark, you find yourself at the back of the fleet.

Here’s a simple framework to help you plan the final third of an upwind: