# GNSS Applications to Assess Performance in Olympic Sailors: Laser Class
## 4 Discussion
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Variables**} & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**Upwind**} & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**Downwind**} & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**Broad Reach**} \\ \cline{2-11}  & & **T1** & **T2** & **T3** & **T1** & **T2** & **T3** & **T1** & **T2** & **T3** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Maneuvers} & Female & 85.5 \(\pm\) & 82.4 \(\pm\) & 88.1 \(\pm\) & 143.3 \(\pm\) & 105.1 \(\pm\) & 128.5 \(\pm\) & \multirow{4}{*}{3.9 \(\pm\) 2.1} & \multirow{4}{*}{4.2 \(\pm\) 2.3} & \multirow{4}{*}{4.1 \(\pm\) 2.1} \\  & & 13.1 & 14.9 & 17.5 & 44.5 & 39 & 44.9 & & & \\  & Male & 120 \(\pm\) & 111.8 \(\pm\) & 125.8 \(\pm\) & 150.2 \(\pm\) & 150.1 \(\pm\) & 155.3 \(\pm\) & & \\  & Male & 24.3 & 21.5 & 28.7 & 33.4 & 27.8 & 41.3 & & & \\  & All & 106 \(\pm\) & 99.2 \(\pm\) & 109.9 \(\pm\) & 147.3 \(\pm\) & 130 \(\pm\) & 144 \(\pm\) & & \\  & All & 26.7 & 23.8 & 30.8 & 0.3 & 39.6 & 44.4 & & & \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Time (hours)} & Female & 2.3 \(\pm\) & 0.05 & 2.4 \(\pm\) & 0.1 & 2.4 \(\pm\) 0.2 & 1.5 \(\pm\) 0.02 & 1.5 \(\pm\) 0.05 & 1.5 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.6 \(\pm\) 0.02 & 0.7 \(\pm\) 0.05 & 0.7 \(\pm\) 0.07 \\  & Male & 2.1 \(\pm\) & 0.1 & 2.1 \(\pm\) 0.1 & & & & & & \\  & Male & 2.2 \(\pm\) & 0.2 & 1.6 \(\pm\) & 0.1 & 1.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 1.7 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.7 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 \\  & All & 2.2 \(\pm\) & 0.2 & 2.2 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 2.3 \(\pm\) 0.2 & 1.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 1.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 1.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.6 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.7 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 0.7 \(\pm\) 0.1 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Data presented as M \(\pm\) SD. A: statistically significant difference T1 vs. T2 and T3; B: statistically significant difference between T1 and T3; C: statistically significant difference between T2 and T3. VMG = Velocity Made Good. T1: high-level sailors; T2: medium-level sailors; T3: low-level sailors. A,BC \(p\) < 0.05.} & & & & & \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Cont. race distance for males was greater than that for females [10]. If we compare our data with this study, it is observed that the maximum distance traveled in upwind by the best male sailors in our study is higher compared to the sailors of the same sex (14.9 vs. 11.7 km), and the same is true for the group of females (15.9 vs. 9.8 km). Therefore, this distance covered should be considered by coaches when planning the training of the sailors, since this would imply a greater physiological demand [34]. With respect to the maneuvers carried out, no significant differences were observed in upwind, downwind, or broad reach when analyzing the whole sample, the group of males and the group of females. Therefore, we can consider that the number of maneuvers is not a variable with which it is possible to differentiate the level of performance of Laser class sailors. Nevertheless, studies carried out in a simulator have shown that more experienced sailors perform fewer maneuvers to complete the course [35]. This difference in the results could be due to the fact that our study was carried out in a real regatta, while the mentioned study was carried out in a simulator, since during a regatta there are a series of circumstances, such as changes in wind speed and direction, which simulators cannot reproduce. As regards time, our results show that there are only differences between the high-level group and the low-level group in upwind; however, it was observed that, in the male group, elite sailors obtained a shorter time in upwind. This suggests that they completed the upwind course in a shorter time, due to their greater VMG and shorter distance to complete this course. The elite female group presents shorter time in broad reach. This result could also be due to the fact that these groups obtained a higher VMG in this course. Some studies have shown that sailors who rank higher on upwind courses can establish strategies and tactics with minimal interference from their competitors and thus complete the course in a shorter time [36]. In our study, we can consider some limitations.