The Laser Campaign Manual: Top Tips from the World's Most Successful Olympic Sailor

Sir Ben Ainslie won his first two Olympic medals (silver, then gold) in the Laser Class. After winning the gold medal he wrote down the secrets that won him that medal in this book. This new edition is published to mark the 20th anniversary of that first of his four Olympic gold medals. It features a brand-new introduction by Ben reflecting on his victory 20 years ago.
It is the only how-to book that the world’s most successful Olympic sailor has written and so, while he and the Laser class have moved on, this is the only place where you can gain access to Ben’s skills and thought process. It is an invaluable guide on how to perform at the top of the Laser class or, indeed, any single-handed sailing dinghy.
From psychology, goal setting and getting the boat right to speed, fitness and training – this book illustrates how to win a championship. Brimming with photographs, it is a colourful, detailed account of how to dominate in your fleet.

Table of Contents

Foreword to 20th anniversary edition

Introduction

PART ONE: GETTING THE BOAT RIGHT: Checking the hull, Putting the boat together, Control lines, Other equipment

PART TWO: SPEED AROUND THE COURSE: Starting, Beating, Tacking, Reaching, Gybing, Running, Other manoeuvres

PART THREE: LET’S GET PERSONAL: Diet, Fitness, Training, Clothing

PART FOUR: HOW TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP: Countdown to a particular event, Racing to win, A typical race day, The race.

Sir Ben Ainslie is the world’s most successful Olympic sailor with four gold and one silver medal to his name. His first two medals were in the Laser class. After winning gold in Sydney he wrote Fernhurst Books’ The Laser Campaign Manual which remains the only how-to book he has written. After that he won 3 more gold medals in the Finn class. He has been World Sailor of the Year four times and won 11 World Championships and 9 European Championships. He was knighted in 2012 and was the winning tactician in the 2013 America’s Cup. He has since set up his own America’s Cup team to win back the America’s Cup for Great Britain.