We’ve always felt that the best way you could learn to cruise quickly was by doing a bit of racing. Starting out in dinghies is best – inexpensive, and, with the competition nearby sailing the same type of boat you know right away if you are doing something wrong or right.

Racing a keel boat (whether your own or as crew for someone else) is the second step. Probably it is best to join an active racing crew. You will be amazed at how much difference small changes in sail trim make, and how much wind a boat can handle and still keep going.

Another approach is to learn from the offshore racers, and right now there are two extraordinary races taking place around the planet.

There is the single-handed monohull race, the Vendee Globe – non stop around the world, with the lead boats currently just emerging from the doldrums of the Atlantic on the way back to the finish line in Europe. The competitors are sailing Open 60s, amazingly light, powerful boats with huge rigs. On the way down to the Atlantic one of these boats ran off a 425-mile day. That would be an impressive number for a fully crewed boat – but single-handed, it’s astonishing.

And then there is “The Race”. This is an incredible undertaking – round the world in maxi-catamarans, 110′ or so of unmitigated horsepower. The lead boats are reeling off 500+ mile days – averaging 20 knots with ease, and toying with the weather systems.

If you have the time, you should try to follow both of these races, watching the weather tactics in use. You can learn some lessons which might some day be valuable in a cruising context.

For more information check out “The Race” at http://www.therace.org/asp/accueil.asp and the Vendee Globe at http://www.vendeeglobe.com/home.asp?lang=us .