If you come in early you run the risk of being disqualified, if you slow down then you will be at a huge disadvantage. However if you come in late its hard to make that ground up for the rest of the race.

The start in a slalom race is one of the most complicated aspect of the race, although extremely exciting to watch, it requires a huge amount of skill from the sailors. We asked the slalom fleet for their top tips on how to nail it.

Tine Slabe (RRD / Al360)

"That is the hardest part and maybe the most important. The trick is to stay very concentrated and on the other hand calm. You need to know how far you can go in how much time. And you count the last twenty seconds in your head, that is how I do it at least."

Cyril Moussilmani (Severne / Starboard)

"No special tricks I just close my eyes and go..."

Kurosh Kiani (Simmer / Angulo)

"Getting a perfect start is all about timing and knowing your speed. Personally my "secret" is staying fairly close to the line at all times. The further you are from the line, the harder it will be to estimate your distance to the mark. Anything other than being fully locked in at 0 seconds and on the line is unacceptable."

Enes Yilmazer (JP / NeilPryde)

"You have to know a couple of points before to chose your strategy for the start:

-Try to start on favorite side, pin or boat or middle.
-Stay away from top guys or possible riders that can block your wind or your start area.
-Know the start area and how long will it take for a full speed start.
-Try to time yourself so you go full blast for the last 15 seconds.
-Always be aware of possible upwind and downwind changes you might do depending on other races or timing.
-Try to start without doubts; don't slow down at the last second."

Jesper Orth (F2)

"Everybody knows that the starts in Slalom are extremely important. To hit the start line with 100% speed on the buzzer is the ultimate goal.

How do I get to this stage of consistent good starts?

It is quite hard to practice starts when not competing, unless you have 8 other keen sailors and a start boat with a line setup.

So race experience count big time here and that's why we often see the more experienced "older" guys do more consistent good starts compared to the "young guns".

Best thing is to find your own routine with the starts. The PWA slalom countdown is 4 minutes. Make sure you are next to the boat when they start the countdown of 4 min, so you can hear them. Sail down the first slalom leg to check the wind and angle. Make a plan if you start at the boat or pin mark or in the middle. If you know your competitors well, then you would also know where they prefer to start normally, so this also opens some options for better positions than others.