Running a relentless, downwind course, the fleet sheared in formation toward Werpoint.

An overtaking boat on a downwind course can position itself to focus its dirty air on the boat ahead of it.

Downwind: More than two marks are laid and sailors sail a downwind course - gybing around each mark only once.

The process of turning a fore-and-aft rigged boat upwind and tacking through more than 180 degrees to avoid having to jibe on a downwind course.

As we rounded the headland and came off our downwind course, the boys glimpsed the curved back of a large, grey-brown creature, lazing in the swell off our stern.

Centreboard (Daggerboard) - If a moveable centreboard is fitted, then it should be lowered when sailing "close to the wind" but can be raised up on downwind courses to reduce drag.

However, many sailboats are significantly faster sailing on a broad reach than running (sailing straight downwind), so the increased speed of a zig-zag course of alternating broad reaches can more than make up for the extra distance it takes over a straight downwind course.