Steve Cockerill explains: 'Follow-on' ILCA Training

My favourite training routine for small to medium sized groups is a ‘Follow-On’.

It’s an easy routine for a group of sailors of different abilities and consists of a windward leeward course, or a triangle if you want to include some reaching.

To start, it’s a good idea to know the speed of the sailors taking part. Although this might be your pecking order, the routine is designed to upset this pecking order by giving those slower a chance to race closer to those that are faster.  The faster ones have to be super smart and sometimes even patient. 

This is how it works:

I like starting the routine from leeward end of the course. The boats line up on a reach at the leeward mark with the slowest taking the lead, with subsequent faster boats in 2nd, 3rd etc approaching the mark to round to port; a sort of boat snake. Normal mark rounding rules are active, except you are not allowed to pass the leading boats until you are clear of the mark. This might sound an easy start, but it can actually be quite hard with some inexperienced sailors. To resolve this I might lead them into the first mark, boats nose to tail then I bail out, gybe and join the boat snake where my speed best fits in the routine.  

From then on as a slow boat you are in control of the race. You can tack when you want to, or just hit the layline. Passing boats or holding onto your position like a normal race. At the top mark you will tend to find some close situations, after all the speedier sailors have now caught up and the slower ones might be at risk of loosing their position.  The bear away WILL be crucial. Those that make a smart (sail eased) rounding will gain the inside track on the run (if that’s the course). Downwind technique will be observed by those slower boats as the speedier boats are in close quarters. Vica versa, the speedier sailors can note the mistakes of the slower boats. Now the routine might stop at the leeward mark. However, I notice often that sailors are sloppy at the leeward mark rounding if the race is over, so I prefer to then race and finish at the top mark. The leeward mark rounding will again be CRUCIAL! A good rounding will be able to hold you lane, tack when you want to. A bad rounding and you will be in the dirt of boats in front. Tacking cause you think you are faster might let the boat behind you take starboard advantage, specially when the wind head on port. It’s a time to test your patience; tack only when you feel the shift and before the boat ahead takes your wind on the new starboard tack. Once at the top mark, and hopefully having tested your bear away you can stop, have a short drink of water and be ready for the next routine.  

Starting from the Windward mark. 

Again the boat snake needs to line up on starboard, on a reach into the rounding mark.  We like to throw in a triangle occasionally – cause its fun and amazingly, sailors can find it a challenge to get the boat up to top speed. Now you have a gybe and a leeward mark rounding before beating to the top mark and finishing on a run to the leeward mark. The mark situations are numerous throughout and its not for the faint hearted. Take your chances when you can. 

If the sailors are all about the same speed, you can take it in turns to lead the routine, being 2nd, 3rd etc. Then after the same number of races as sailors you will have an overall winner who has the least points in the series. 

The videos were all taken at CaribWind, Cabarete, Dominican Republic. It’s a favourite for sailors from North America who flock to the warmth as its an easy flight for them. The sea temperature is a balmy 27 degrees. For European sailors, the best flights are from Eidelweiss via Zurich or Condor via Frankfurt to Puerta Plata, then it’s an easy 25 min taxi from the airport to Cabarete.

The conditions will test your gear, I spent the month in a Hooded UVF Top with Aeromesh Cap, over a Thermaflex LongJohn and Race Armour Lite Shorts with pads. Rooster Sunglasses were on full test too and we have taken the versions with salt proof lenses. I still wore the Thermaflex Wet Socks under my Pro Laced Boots; I just love the comfort!

We are so excited about coming back to ‘the best playground in the world!’ We love it! https://www.caribwind.com/laser/

Join us in January 2026 for the next round of training.

It's rare for sailors of the same level to show up at a group clinic. What usually happens in group clinics is that the slower sailors don't have a real opportunity to improve. They always find themselves behind the better sailors, with no chance to see how their mistakes cost them.

— Ari Barshi, Founder,
Laser ILCA Training Cabarete

The beauty of this drill is that it creates realistic racing scenarios where faster sailors have to execute proper passing techniques - finding clean air, timing their moves, and dealing with disturbed wind from the boats ahead. Meanwhile, the slower sailors get to experience what it's like to sail in clear air and defend their position, which builds their confidence and tactical skills.

This type of drill is particularly valuable because it:

• Teaches passing and defensive tactics
• Gives everyone a chance to be competitive regardless of speed differential
• Simulates real race conditions where you might be stuck behind slower boats
• Builds tactical awareness for all skill levels

Details from Carib Wind.