thumb|300px|right|Prestart Maneuvering Explanation Without a doubt the adrenaline runs high at a racing start. A good start can mean dominating the fleet until the finish while a bad start can mean 20 or 30 minutes of frustrating chase.
- Outline bullets
- The rules are in effect from the pre-start signal
- Why a close-hauled starboard start is popular
- Early break away to right hand side of course
- Handling starboard barging at the committee boat (RH mark) by boats on a close reach
- Avoiding the rule 16 penalty in a congested start
- Clear air is your friend
- Pulling off a port tack start in a predominantly starboard tack fleet
- When the stream (current) is strong
- When you cross too early rule 30.1
- Getting clear to take your penalty turn