From the box (edited):The object of the game is to sail from the start line up the board (passing all the buoys on their left-hand side) and back to cross the start line. The first yacht to do so is the winner.The principle of the game is based on the behavior of an actual sailing vessel, and particular note should be taken of the wind direction which is denoted by the Wind Arrow positioned on the right of the playing board. The arrow head, in common with a weather vane, points in the direction from which the wind is coming. No vessel can sail directly into the wind. Vessels sailing at right angles to the wind are said to be reaching. Vessels with the wind from behind are said to be running. - BoardGameGeek