Flying at maximum speed into clear air across the faster end of the start line on the right (starboard) tack at precisely the moment the start gun fires will give you the perfect start. But how to do it?

Getting a good start is one of the most important and exciting aspects of racing, and is usually the foundation of a good race result. The best starts require a good logical plan and a cool head in the heat of the start line action.

Most racing starts are timed countdown "on water" starts, rather than "beach starts", which means that you'll be given colored flag timing signals, usually from the start "committee boat", which normally is located at the starboard end of the startline. The opposite end of the startline (the "pin") is usually a floating or fixed buoy or mark directly across the wind from the committee boat.

A good countdown watch is important to time your start; a regular watch with stopwatch or timer function can do the trick, but the best tool by far is a yachting countdown watch. These can be positioned on your upper arm, or even around the mast just above the boom. You need to be sure that you can see and read the watch clearly in the final run to the startline.

Countdown starting sequences will vary, so check out the details prior to going on the water, understand the flag signals and timing sequence, and maybe preset your countdown timer.

A common sequence involves Red (warning), Yellow (preparatory) and Green (start) flags being displayed sequentially at 3 minute intervals - with each flag removed exactly 1 minute before the next is shown. From this sequence, you get the following timing signals

A good strategy is to plan to start your actual countdown watch from the 4 minute signal (and keep 3 Minute as your first reserve) - this way you need to note the 6 minute signal and mentally judge the next 2 minutes to be absolutely ready to hit the timer start button exactly the Red comes down at 4 to go. Ronstan watch has a "sync" feature - very useful if you're a little late.

If you're a little unsure of the ideal setup to "plan" your start. Sail to the startline with time to spare, maybe even go early enough to sail the first race leg (or part of it) prior to the start sequence just to get a good feel for the wind strength and direction, and during this time, look carefully for signs of wind shifts, lifts or holes out on the course that could favor one side of the course over the other.

Time to decide your final starting strategy: Knowing if one side of the course has favorable wind (or not), you need to determine also if one tack is favored during the actual start as well. If one end of the start line is clearly closer to the first mark, this is usually the favored end of the start line. You also need to decide the preferred first tack away from the start line; normally, starboard is the "safer" and normally preferred tack as sailors on this tack will always have right of way in any startline confusion with opposite port tackers. However, in some cases, there are good reasons to take the initiative and go against the trend and use a port tack.

Sail to the middle of the start line and stop your board - standing facing directly downwind, look to your left and right; is one end of the startline clearly more "upwind" (closer to the first mark) than the other? If so, that's going to be the preferred end of the startline. Now look upwind toward the first windward mark and see which side of the startline it's on. If it's dead upwind, your initial tack doesn't matter. If it's to the right of the startline, the best tack is port, and to the left, starboard.

Now you can decide which end of the line, and which tack to start on. (of course, taking into account any other factors that could impact your start as well !)

Then, start your timing watch and sail at full speed from the startline towards the area that you have decided to start your final runup to the startline from (usually 200-300 metres away from the startline, across the wind, or a little upwind of the startline). This is your "takeoff" position. Stop your watch, and note how long it took to start and cover that distance; in your run down to the line, that time will be important as it determines exactly when you "launch" your final run to the line.

If the wind is steady, one timing run is fine, but if the wind is gusty or variable, especially between full planing and not quite, make a second "slow" run down to the startline and note the time for this slow run as well.

Make sure you're around the start boat line well in time for the first signal, and ensure your view towards the boat or flags is not too obscured buy other sailors. At this time if the fleet is large there'll be lots of boards milling around in apparent disarray, some crowding the boat, some planing, others drifting while they concentrate on getting their timing signals from the boat.

If possible, "park" your board and stand still with your sail sheeted out downwind (dipping the clew into the water just a little may help you remain in a more stable position).

Once you see the signal you're waiting for, and started your timing watch, you've got around 4 minutes prior to the start, and you should use the next minute or so to maneuver carefully through the fleet to your chosen "takeoff" zone. Take it easy, dropping a gybe right now in the crowd can ruin your whole plan. You already know how long it will take to sail fast from your takeoff zone to the startline, you should ensure that you're ready to "launch" your start from the takeoff zone in plenty of time to be on the startline at 0 minutes. Resist the temptation to launch early.

Monitor the wind: has it held up, or has it faded? Changed direction? Mentally adjust your time to the start line if you believe the wind has varied since you timed your trial "launch". Watch for other unexpected problems, like a large group of riders directly blocking your run. Try and factor in any last minute adjustments required. Experience helps a lot here.

Hold position in your takeoff zone, confident in your calculated strategy, even as those around you start to move (they may be early). Get ready to move as your "launch" time approaches, then fire yourself off towards your chosen point on the line quickly (but carefully) at the right moment.

Pick up speed, get comfortable in the straps whilst avoiding other riders who may have stalled between you and the line. Maintain a good pace; too slow and you risk being stalled out or overrun close to the line by others, go too hard and you may risk being "over early" or colliding if you can not avoid someone between you and the line if someone stalls, falters or falls (and it often happens).

Keep focused on your timing countdown, and your "route" to the start line; you can pinch a little higher, harder onto the line if the wind falters a little, or, if you are ahead of schedule (or the wind increases), bear off and run down the inside of the start line a little further in the last seconds prior to crossing to the course side. In each case, try and predict as early as possible your move/s, and allow for the inevitable crowding, rough water, disturbed airflow and other unexpected last second start line surprises.

For starts on starboard tack, watch out for the wind shadow around the back of the committee boat, and the crowd of sailors that often gathers right at the back of the boat just prior to the gun. Plan to avoid this with either speed (to carry you through the wind shadow) or by swinging wide below the boat before cutting back up to the line.

Use and trust your timing judgement as you charge towards the line -you'll have little or no time to look around and decide if the committee boat has actually raised the start signal flag if you're right on the start line at top speed as the signal is given. Likewise, in the wind and confusion of a high speed start, you may not even hear the sound signal that confirms the start. In any event, sound signals are usually disregarded in favor of "visual" signals in any start sequence, and to some extent can even be misleading if the start crew are a little out of sync.

Be on the lookout for multiple sound signals directly after the start signal though, as these will indicate a general recall, usually given if too many sailors "jump" the start for the committee to identify, or some other major start line confusion or mishap. General recalls require all sailors to return to the start area, regroup and await a new start sequence. The real clue to watch for is the triangular blue with yellow center "First Substitute" flag that would also be flown from the committee boat directly after the start signal, signaling a General Recall. Once clear of the line, you are off on your first tack towards the upwind mark, and hopefully after a great start, well positioned in clean air and flat water to make the best of the first leg.