Glossary: Key Sailing Terms For SailGP
Want to know your port from your starboard? We've got all the key terms you need to follow SailGP
Published 03/27/2025
Whether you’re a long-standing fan of SailGP or just getting into our sport for the first time, there’s an overwhelming number of words and phrases used around the sport.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the key terms to help get you up to speed:
Boat & Equipment ⛵️
Daggerboard – A retractable vertical board that helps reduce sideways drift when not foiling.
Foil Cant System – The mechanism that adjusts the angle of the foils, controlling lift and stability.
F50 Catamaran – The high-tech, single-design foiling catamaran used by all teams. It can reach speeds over 50 knots (about 60 mph).
Foiling – The process where the boat lifts out of the water on hydrofoils, reducing drag and allowing for higher speeds.
Hydrofoil (Foil) – The wing-like structures beneath the boat that lift it out of the water when the speed increases.
Jib – The smaller sail at the front of the boat, used to assist with balance and maneuverability.
Rudder – Controls the direction of the boat and, in foiling, helps to stabilize the flight.
T-foils – The shape of the hydrofoils that resemble a “T” when viewed from the side, providing lift and stability.
Wing Sail – A rigid sail that resembles an airplane wing, providing more efficient power than traditional sails.
Race Format & Structure ⏱️
Fleet Race – A race where all teams compete simultaneously. Points are awarded based on finishing positions from 10 points for 1st place, down to zero.
Grand Final – The ultimate showdown where the top three teams from the season compete for the championship in a winner-takes-all match race.
Race Strategy & Tactics 🎮
Boundary – The outer limit of the racecourse that boats must stay within.
Covering – A defensive tactic where a leading boat positions itself to block the wind of a trailing competitor, slowing them down.
Dial-Down – A defensive move where a leading boat forces a competitor to change course to avoid a collision, often seen in high-speed closing situations.
Dirty Air/Wind Shadow – Refers to the turbulent or disturbed wind patterns created by one boat’s sails, affecting the performance of nearby vessels.
Displacement Mode – A sailing mode where the boat is not foiling and is instead moving through the water with the hulls partially or fully submerged, similar to a traditional catamaran.
Foil-to-Foil Jibe – A maneuver where the boat stays on its foils while jibing, maintaining speed and reducing drag.
Gate – A pair of buoys that boats must pass through, dictating course direction
High Mode / Low Mode – Adjustments to the boat’s course to either sail closer to the wind (high mode) or sail faster with less angle (low mode), depending on conditions.
Hook – A maneuver at the start where a boat attempts to position itself between a competitor and the start line to force them off course.
H1 Sailing – One of the boat’s two hulls is lifted out the water, typically prior to foiling.
H2 Sailing – Both of the boat’s hulls are submerged in the water, which results in the boat travels slowly.
Jibing – Turning the stern of the boat through the wind, often used on downwind legs.
Lay Line – The optimal course angle that allows the boat to sail directly to a mark without needing to tack or jibe.
Lull – A decrease in wind that can slow the boat, requiring precise foil adjustments to maintain speed.
Mark Rounding – Turning points on the course where boats maneuver to change direction.
Pitch Control – Managing the boat’s angle in relation to the water to avoid nose-dives or excessive lift.
Puff – A sudden increase in wind strength that can boost speed but requires quick adjustments.
Ride Height – The consistent height at which the boat foils, maintained by the Flight Controller.
Shift – A change in wind direction that can affect strategy. A good sailor will anticipate and take advantage of shifts.
Split – When two boats take opposite sides of the course, often leading to big tactical gains or losses depending on wind shifts.
Start Box – The designated area where boats jostle for position before the race begins.
Tacking – Turning the bow of the boat through the wind to switch from one tack to the other.
VMG (Velocity Made Good) – A measure of how efficiently the boat is moving toward its target. Higher VMG means faster progress toward the mark.
Crew Roles 📈
Driver – The person steering the boat, usually making tactical decisions.
Flight Controller – The crew member responsible for adjusting the foils to maintain stable flight. They work closely with the Driver and Wing Trimmer.
Grinder – Positioned at the front of the boat with one facing forwards and one facing backwards. These crew members power the boat’s systems by manually turning a grinder pedestal.
Strategist – Positioned behind the Driver, the Strategist reads the wind conditions, competitors’ moves, and suggest the best course.
Wing Trimmer – Controls the wing sail, adjusting its angle to optimize speed and balance.
Environmental & Safety Terms 🌊
Capsize – When a boat overturns, often due to extreme conditions or a tactical error.
Safety Zones – Designated areas to protect other vessels and spectators from the high-speed action.
Penalties & Rules 🏆
Over-Early (OCS – On Course Side) – A boat crossing the start line before the official start, resulting in a penalty.
Penalty Turn – A time or position penalty given for rule infractions, often requiring the boat to slow down or change course.
Port v Starboard Right of Way – When two vessels approach on opposite tacks (turning the bow of the boat through the wind), the boat with the starboard tack has the right of way. In other words, whoever has the wind on its right side has the right of way.
Claim your own U.S. SailGP Team Crew Card
Join the Crew
Support
Contact
Powered By
© FanCapital LLC