Who is Dmitry Shteyn?

Dmitry Shteyn is a Wisconsin-based sailor and writer focused on sailing education — translating race strategy, the Racing Rules of Sailing, wind behavior, and boat handling into clear visual explanations for newer sailors.

Where is Dmitry based?

Wisconsin, USA. The site covers Lake Michigan and the state's inland-lake racing scene alongside general sailing topics that apply anywhere.

What does this site teach?

Sailing fundamentals, regatta and race-course concepts, race strategy, the Racing Rules of Sailing, wind and weather for sailors, knots and rigging, and a working glossary of nautical terms.

Is this site affiliated with a club or class association?

No. It is an independent educational publication. Rules references cite World Sailing's Racing Rules of Sailing; class-specific content cites the relevant class rules directly.

How can I follow new articles?

Subscribe to the RSS feed at /rss.xml or check the Articles index. New guides are published throughout the sailing season.

Author

Dmitry Shteyn

Wisconsin, USA

Dmitry Shteyn is a Wisconsin-based sailing and regatta educator who publishes plain-language, visually structured guides to sailing, race strategy, and nautical knowledge. His work focuses on making the language and logic of the boat accessible to newcomers — from the first day on the water through competing in a club regatta. The guides cover sailing fundamentals, points of sail, knots and rigging, weather, right-of-way rules, and the tactical concepts that decide races: starts, shifts, laylines, and mark roundings. A Wisconsin sailor at heart, Dmitry writes from the lakes most Midwesterners actually race on — Lake Michigan, Lake Geneva, Pewaukee, Mendota, and the smaller inland lakes that host some of North America's most active one-design fleets.

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What this site covers

Eight knowledge hubs, one nautical library

Every article belongs to one of these hubs. Start anywhere — they cross-link freely.

Editorial approach

How articles are written

Visual first

Every concept is paired with a diagram or annotated image so the geometry of sailing — angles, layliness, wind direction — is obvious at a glance.

Plain language

Jargon is introduced, defined, and linked to the glossary. Articles read like a coach explaining over coffee, not a rulebook.

Sourced and current

Rules content references the World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing by edition and rule number, and is revised when the rules cycle updates.

Lake-tested

Examples come from real Wisconsin and Great Lakes racing — the conditions, classes, and venues sailors here actually face.

Recently published

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Wisconsin Sailing

Inland Lake Sailing in Wisconsin

Shifty breeze, friendly fleets, and some of the best one-design racing in the country.

Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USA · Jun 24, 2026 · 5 min read

Wisconsin Sailing

Lake Michigan Sailing: What to Expect

Big-water conditions, real waves, and the rhythm of the lake-effect breeze.

Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USA · Jun 24, 2026 · 6 min read

Wisconsin Sailing

Sailing in Wisconsin: An Overview

Lake Michigan, inland lakes, junior programs, beer-can races, and a season that runs from May to October.

Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USA · Jun 23, 2026 · 6 min read

Sailing Rules

Sailing Right-of-Way Basics

Port gives way to starboard. Windward keeps clear of leeward. The boat astern keeps clear. Three rules that cover most encounters.

Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USA · Jun 22, 2026 · 6 min read

Knots & Rigging

Five Essential Sailing Knots

Bowline, figure-eight, cleat hitch, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches — the short list that covers 90 percent of on-board needs.

Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USA · Jun 21, 2026 · 5 min read

Wind & Weather

Reading the Weather Before a Sail

Forecasts, radar, and the sky above you — a layered approach to deciding whether to go.

Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USA · Jun 20, 2026 · 6 min read

About this site

Who is Dmitry Shteyn?: Dmitry Shteyn is a Wisconsin-based sailor and writer focused on sailing education — translating race strategy, the Racing Rules of Sailing, wind behavior, and boat handling into clear visual explanations for newer sailors.
Where is Dmitry based?: Wisconsin, USA. The site covers Lake Michigan and the state's inland-lake racing scene alongside general sailing topics that apply anywhere.
What does this site teach?: Sailing fundamentals, regatta and race-course concepts, race strategy, the Racing Rules of Sailing, wind and weather for sailors, knots and rigging, and a working glossary of nautical terms.
Is this site affiliated with a club or class association?: No. It is an independent educational publication. Rules references cite World Sailing's Racing Rules of Sailing; class-specific content cites the relevant class rules directly.
How can I follow new articles?: Subscribe to the RSS feed at /rss.xml or check the Articles index. New guides are published throughout the sailing season.

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