Customer Reviews

The Laser Campaign Manual

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is a CD included which is not mentioned by the advert. This shows Ben demonstrating 9 disciplines, such as starting and running downwind, with his voice narrating. This makes the techniques come to life and a lot easier to follow.
You can't really argue with the advice of the Olympic Gold Medallist - this book has already taken precious seconds off my times! No Laser Sailor can afford to be without this book!!!

Written in Ben's naive style of narrative, the book nevertheless is chock full of tips for the budding Laser sailor. It sometimes falls short of proper explanation. For example he talks about adjusting the hiking strap, yet there are no pictures or detail about how this is done. Perhaps a nice touch would be a link to a video? However, it remains a great resource for Laserites. Should you buy this book? You betcha!

Forget those books with lots of theories, Ben Ainslie, an Olympic Gold-Medalist, has gifted the XD sailing community with this book. Although it may look simple, all his tricks really works at sea, and there are complex reasons for being so if you are keen enough to consult books on aerodynamics or fluid mechanics just to check him out (I studied Aerospace Engineering in College). If you are serious in the sport, just playback the inclusive VCD for a thousand time, and of course, practice his posture, you will never be disappointed.

The book is quite basic with some good points about boat handling and goes fast techniques. It could have more details. The roll tacking sequence of pictures doesn't show a realist roll tack. The book also demonstrate some illegal techniques like using the foot to push the boat.

Lots of good info from an expert sailor. Must read for anyone who sails small boats, not just Lasers.