A Protocol for Recording Visual and Motor Behaviour for Scientific Support in the Teaching and Training of Sailing in a Simulator

This research aims to test the suitability of a protocol for automated measurement to describe visual and motor behaviour in the process of learning to sail. The objective is to provide coaches with the necessary scientific and technological support to analyse the variables of success in race starting. The study was performed with a highly ranked sailor in the Optimist class ranking. The instruments used to carry out the investigation were the sailing simulator VSail-Trainer® and the eye tracking system ASL®. Two simulated race starts were performed with a protocol of five minutes. The results show the automated protocol is suitable for measuring the ability of boat handling and visual performance in simulated conditions. Visual behaviour shows that the sailor visually fixates on locations that provide relevant information for the race start such as clock, other competitors, wind direction and the start buoys.