course![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Olympic events take place on a triangular course whose length varies depending on variables such as the characteristics of the water and the wind direction.
tacking ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Technique of navigating in a zigzag course when sailing upwind; the sails cross from one side of the boat to the other.
second leg at reach ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The sailboat first navigates the beam reach with the wind on the starboard side until the third buoy (first leg at reach), then sails a second straight line to the beam reach with the wind on the port side.
lowering the spinnaker ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The crew lowers the spinnaker when the sailboat turns into the wind, after the second leg at reach.
starting line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line marking the beginning of the race; when the starting signal is given, all the sailboats must be behind this line.
buoy ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Floating object that marks out the race. An Olympic-type race has three buoys that are arranged in a triangle; they are rounded in a specific order.
start into a headwind ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The race begins facing upwind; sailboats must then tack until the second buoy, which is located straight ahead.
finish line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line marking the end of the race; events are usually made up of several sets, the combined result of which determines the winner.
wind ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Displacement of air caused by variations in pressure between two regions of the atmosphere.
raising the spinnaker ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
When the sailboat navigates points of sailing (with the wind almost from behind), the crew increases speed by hoisting a large lightweight sail called a spinnaker over the bow.
jibe ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Technique for changing the sailboat’s course when the wind is coming from the rear by letting the sails cross from one side of the boat to the other.