I'll chime in and say racing is exponential compared to reaching. The fourth trip to the lake with our brand new 16 was to a regatta, and I didn't go without first spouting off at least ten excuses why I shouldn't be racing yet. The reply (given with a blank stare) was "That's what we do..."

I checked out books on tactics from the library, and held close the comments of my brother-in-law, "One design racing is all about tactics!". He convinced me the difference in boat speed is very, very small compared to sailing technique.

Also, I never had a bridle fly in those first years, that kept my head out of the boat.