Prepare for a Regatta (Sailing)

Ever get that nervous feeling before one of those big races? Do you always finish off the podium? Perhaps you didn't prepare correctly!

Steps

Inspect the bottom of your boat. A fast boat is very smooth below the waterline. Fair it out if necessary.
Fill all chips, scratches, or any breaks in the fiberglass.
Use a racing sail that fits correctly. A racing sail is usually made of Kevlar or Mylar that catches and uses wind better than a dacron cruising sail. Good sails are the single most important asset for boat speed than any other factor.
Take a look up the course from land and when you're on the water as well. See what side has more wind by looking for ripples. More ripples and dark spots mean more wind.
Know where the true wind is coming from. You might want to write this information down.
Find out where the currents are. Avoid all whirlpools.
Rig your boat with care! Pull the outhaul and the halyards snug. Over-tightening can introduce wrinkles which will negatively affect your boat speed.
If using a spinnaker, make sure the skipper knows how to communicate with the crew. He or she has to be able to tell the crew when he/she is adjusting course.

Starts are very important. It's easy to follow the other boats and get trapped in a bad situation
Plan to hit the start line at full speed.
It's better to be in clean air.