Originally Posted by
spectastic
much appreciated
Some people are more risk-averse than others. I was/am like you. I hate being directly behind someone. I'm always 6" off to one side or another (try to make it wind-sheltered sides), but I've gotten a little better at it as I moved up categories. When I went from 4 to 3s, I HAD to change how close I rode as suddenly I was losing my wheel over and over and over. Took me a few races, but I got (nearer) there.
If you just make it one of the conscious thoughts you consider during the race, you'll do a better job. There's no secret to it, other than to do it and let it become more familiar.