Here is what you should pay attention to as you sail around the buoys.
When you are sailing upwind you need to sail as close to the wind (closed hauled) as possible and at maximum speed. Focus on the closed hauled part. I often see people reach around as they are working on some mechanics. Even if you have a tangled jib sheet or some other problem, try to keep the boat at the optimum course to the mark.
When you tack, do not release the jib until it backwinds. If you are using foot steering, keep pushing the the paddle that started the turn longer than you would think. I found that if you cut the turning short, you will not complete the tack and as result, stall the sails out and slow down drastically. During a perfect tack, the jib should only flap a few times.
You will be very busy with arm and hand activities as you keep adjusting your sails. remember that there are basically two scenarios when you sail. One is when you are seeking power because it isn't very windy and the other is when it is windy and you are seeking to de-power your sails.
Power up: No backstay, eased outhaul, eased cunningham and jib luff.
De-power: Tighten the outhaul, tighten cunningham and jib luff. Tighten backstay, but be quick to ease it if wind velocity drops.
Upwind sail trim: Always trim the main so that the top batten is parallel to the boom. The 2.4 makes it very easy to check this because you are sitting perfectly right underneath the boom all you have to do is look up. The jib and main should in most cases be trimmed in tighter than what you think is right. The tighter you trim the quicker the sail stall out if you veer away from your closed hauled course. Steering becomes more sensitive. The space between the main and the jib is referred to as the "slot". It is a crucial space and it should never be blocked. You may want to ease the jib-leads in the breeze to open the slot a bit. In general, trim the jib so that the leech is close to the spreader, or inside of it.
Try sailing around the course in clear air at all times, always on the long tack to the next mark.
At the weather mark:
1. Ease the main first in order to help the boat to bear off. Ease it gradually until there is just a little bit of space between the boom and the leeward shroud.
2. Head downwind.
3. Ease jib and pull the whisker pole all the way out.
4. Trim jib.
5. Ease backstay (if applicable)
6. Ease Cunningham and outhaul.
7. Adjusts your sail trim.
Remember that sailing is like the German language, every rule has an exception!