Do we always need the leeward gate?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
I’m old enough to remember racing before the introduction of the leeward mark gate, and as with most changes to the sport, I was opposed. After a downwind leg of controlling my opponent, the gate gave them a “get out of jail card”. Worse, if I picked the wrong gate, they were now ahead.

The goal of the leeward gate was to ease congestion, but with nearly every instance where the sport seeks to “improves itself”, there is a cost. In this editorial by Ari Barshi, he offers an idea to evolve the use of the gate:

How often do we hear about the need to make sailing more spectator-friendly while simultaneously struggling to recruit enough volunteers to run our regattas? Here’s a proposal that could kill two birds with one stone.

The Current Challenge
We already struggle to explain why two boats sail in different directions upwind to non-sailing spectators. Yet, we complicate things further by splitting the fleet at the downwind gate into what appears to be four different directions. This creates both spectator confusion and logistical headaches.

Setting up downwind gates can be tricky, especially when the first mark has drifted from its intended position. Mark setters face the familiar dilemma: anchor the second mark where it should be and relocate the first one, or position the second mark based on the actual location of the first one.

Beyond positioning challenges, downwind gates demand more equipment—additional rope, anchoring gear, and marks. Race committees must deploy with four marks instead of two, which is no small task in challenging ocean conditions.

A Practical Proposal
I’d like to gauge the community’s thoughts on proposing the following modifications to World Sailing’s course guidelines:

• Small fleets (≤30 boats): Replace downwind gates with a single leeward mark, creating clearer, more understandable courses for spectators and new sailors.
• Large fleets (≥50 boats): Retain downwind gates for safety, as they effectively distribute boats and reduce mark congestion.
• Medium fleets (31-49 boats): Grant race committees discretion based on boat type, wind conditions, and safety considerations, particularly in winds above 14 knots.

This approach maintains safety where needed while simplifying smaller events and reducing volunteer workload.

One has to add that a gate is never a must and all sailors know that if they find just one downwind buoy, they round it to port. But there are “career course setters” who feel that a gate is a must and maybe it’s time to make things easier and clearer for them as well.

Could this balance competitive integrity with practical sailing needs? Send your thoughts to editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com.