We used to run one of this type of event every spring at my old fleet in the Midwest.

It typically started out with an hour or so set up of a boat and the basics of what you are trying to achieve with the various settings. (Unless you are good enough sailor to be competing with the best at the national and international level, as long as your boat is set up in the ball park you result is going to be determined by your sailing ability only anyway)

We then hit the water, and swapped skippers/crew with the best skipper going out and crewing with the newest sailors etc. You experienced guys know how to keep the boat going fast by feel and the various small clues happening around you on the boat. This translates into all the knowlege that allows you to know how and when you can pull off a fast tack or maintain speed going downwind etc. By being on the boat and showing them your techniques for reading the boat and talking them through whats happening they can get more out a few minutes than days of drills.

This was how I learned anyway and it realy helped me out until I had developed enough background knowlege to sort out the reason for why things were happening myself. Plus it promotes more social interaction. Not that I do not need the practice, but spending a weekend doing drill does not appeal to me. Hanging out at the lake and sailing with friends appeals to me much more.

Matt