There are six full time roles on board the F50 - a strategist, driver, wing trimmer, flight controller and two grinders.
In light wind conditions, the race committee might instruct teams to drop down to four crew to make the F50s lighter. When this happens, teams are in charge of deciding who they keep on board and who they take off.
The crew have to be at the top of their game every time they race the F50, but do you know what each of the roles are doing to ensure the F50 flies across the water?
Driver: Sitting towards the back of the boat, the Driver is in charge of deciding where to steer the F50 on the racecourse and communicating the plan to the rest of the crew. Drivers are considered the leaders of the teams and are heavily involved in planning the logistics of the events.
Strategist: Positioned at the back of the boat behind the Driver, the strategist is focused on the big picture strategy, calling out the changing wind conditions and boundaries, lodging protests and keeping a close eye on the rest of the fleet to avoid collisions and close situations.
Wing Trimmer: The Wing Trimmer is in charge of making precise adjustments to the wing, putting it in the best shape for the wind conditions and communicating the best modes to sail in to the driver.
Flight Controller: The Flight Controller is responsible for keeping the boat flying above the water, reducing drag and increasing speed. The Flight Controller works closely with the Wing Trimmer and Driver to keep the boat flat, locked in and stable.
Grinder (G1): Grinders turn the handles to turn the winch, allowing the Wing Trimmer to trim the wing sheet as effectively as possible. The first Grinder, known as G1, faces forwards with their eyes on the racecourse.
Grinder (G2): Positioned at the front of the boat with their back to the racecourse, the second Grinder, or G2, works with the first Grinder to turn the handles. The G2 has direct eye contact with the Wing Trimmer, allowing easy communication between the two roles.
