Sorry if my race comments seemed offensive to some. Just freebee observations from a former pro coach. Thought it might be useful to some.
The puffs (and shifts) were coming down the course and were quite visible in the sunshine. I should have made it clear that we on the RC boat could see an obvious big puff on one side or the other or in the middle coming down the course just before the start, but many boats sailed away from it at the start. One boat started, tacked to port tack, went a ways and tacked again just before getting to a really nice puff. The result of the tack was a big lull and an exasperating parking lot while the fleet sailed on.
Yes, I know that it is easieer to see this stuff while not having to actually race. It is the top sailors who do both.
Dave Ellis
Old guy