VMG in Kitesurfing and Sailing: Understanding and Maximizing Your Speed
You’ve likely heard the term VMG in the context of sailing or kiteracing, but what does VMG actually mean?
This article explains the importance of VMG in kiteboard racing and sailing, and how you can calculate your own VMG speed.
What is VMG (Velocity Made Good)?
In sailing and kite course racing, the primary objective is to reach the upwind or downwind mark faster than your competitors. This involves a trade-off: some athletes prioritize sailing at the best possible angle relative to the wind, while others opt for higher speeds but with a less favorable angle. VMG, or Velocity Made Good, is the speed component in the direction of the true wind. It’s a crucial metric that combines both speed and angle, allowing you to determine the most effective strategy.
Why is VMG Important?
VMG helps you determine the fastest way to a target, whether it’s an upwind mark or a downwind finish line.
By calculating VMG, you can compare different sailing angles and speeds to find the optimal balance.
This is vital for:
- Optimizing your course: Choosing the most efficient path.
- Gaining a competitive edge: Making informed tactical decisions.
- Improving your performance: Refining your sailing technique.
VMG Calculation Example:
Imagine three athletes starting simultaneously, each taking a different angle and achieving a different speed.
The distance to the upwind buoy is 2 km. To determine who reaches the buoy first, we need to calculate each rider’s VMG.
The rider with the highest VMG will reach the buoy first.The formula for calculating VMG is:
For a clearer explanation of VMG, here’s a visual example:
Applying the speeds and angles from our example to the formula yields the following results:
Based on the calculations, the rider in red has the highest VMG at 24.06 km/h and will therefore reach the upwind buoy in under 5 minutes.
It might be surprising that the purple and green riders are almost equally fast, reaching the upwind buoy at nearly the same time.
