This is a great way to start a long upwind drill. All boats line up on starboard except one, this boat is the rabbit. The rabbit crosses ahead of all the boats on port, as the starboard boats duck the rabbit as close as they can and immediately head up to a close haul. Once the rabbit is at the end of the line, they tack onto starboard and join the fleet.
This can be a good challenge for a group of Green Fleeters to master throughout the term.
Teaching points:
- Boat control
- Boat speed
- Holding position and then accelerating
- Upwind
Modifications:
- On the whistle, furthest to leeward boat becomes the rabbit and you do it again
- Two whistles, furthest to windward becomes the rabbit and all boats tack onto port to duck the rabbit. Now all boats are on port