5 Expert Tips Simon Fry on Upwind Headsail Trimming

Simon ‘Stir’ Fry is a world-class trimmer with wins in a huge range of classes. He shares headsail set-up tips with Andy Rice

- By Andy Rice

1. CREATE A COMMS LOOP

A strong team has a strong comms loop and the trimmer plays animportant role in listening and also communicating what’s needed at any given moment on the race course. There’s always an element of compromise to what the boat needs, what the mainsheet trim is doing and how the boat is being steered. A perfect-looking jib is not necessarily what you’re looking for, other than when you’re in perfect conditions. You’ve nearly always got other boats to think about, where tactical situations might dictate a different setup in the sails and how the helmsman is steering. This is why the comms loop is critical.

2. BALANCE OVER BEAUTY

The most important speed goal is rudder. Sometimes you have to contort the sail to give the boat what it needs. In very light airs sometimes you’ve got to go to extremes to make the boat go well. That might be inducing massive headstay sag and making the leech very round in the back. Then in very strong conditions it’s all about the boat being balanced and wanting to go in a straight line with minimal helm movements.