Researchers explore the unsteady fluid dynamics of sailing

A typical Olympic sailing race is a lot more energetic than a pleasurable afternoon cruise on the lake. Olympic sailors tip their masts precariously close to the water's surface while turning, right their vessels at what looks like the last possible moment, and bounce up and down over the edge of their boats on the straightaways. These unsteady sailing techniques, called "roll-tacking," "roll-jibing," and "flicking," propel boats faster through the racecourse.

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