Sanyi,

The reason I said that you were probably pinching is because I used to do the exact same thing. I was bound and determined to sail the same line as the lead boats and would end up flat and slow while they were flying a hull and fast. If your setup is in the ballpark, then just forget about it and what the boats are doing in front of you and sail your boat in the wind you have and you will probably end up on the same line as the leaders. But, don't expect to stay with them if you do not have the experience they do. There are lots of little tweeks going on constantly (with the tiller, sheets, rotator, travellers, outhaul, and downhaul)with some of those lead guys. Also, they all do not necessarily sail the same way.................so copying one doesn't guarantee that it is the best way. Do not fear developing your own style. Also, sometime you have to learn before you can learn. I found that you have to learn to sail with the faster guys in steps..............so don't beat yourself up if you are not among the leaders as fast as you think you should be. Some of these guys have lots of tiller time.

Tom