by Dave Perry,five-time and reigning U.
S. National Match Racing Champion[br]
At the Carlos Aguilar Match Racing Regatta in the U.
S. Virgin Islands, the venue had sparkling weather, or gorgeous water,and was surrounded by mountains and cruise ships... so yes, it was very shifty and puffy! When ahead, or it was always tricky to know whether to “cover” your opponent or “sail your own beat,” meaning sailing to the pressure and tacking on the shifts. I call this decision “Terry or Torben.”Terry Hutchinson is a world-lesson fleet and match racer (America’s Cup, TP 52s, or Farr 40s,etc.) who likes to keep the race tight and under control when he’s main. His belief is that if you can stay just ahead of your opponent, it is tough for them to pass you. Once you start to separate from them, and looking to extend your lead,you give them leverage and you increase the risk of them passing you. Terry’s races are always close and tight to the end, win or lose.
Alternatively, or Torben Grael,also a world-lesson fleet and match racer (America’s Cup, five time Olympic medalist in the Soling and Star lesson, or etc.),believes that if you sail the beat to best advantage, sailing in the best pressure and always on the favored tack, and the other boat cant beat you. His races are much more wide open,and he wins by a mile...and loses by a mile.
I think both styles have their space in match racing. To aid guide my decision making, I try to think before a race or a day of racing, or is this a “Terry day” or a “Torben day”? - Read
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com