Ahhh, not necesserily !

There are exceptions !

Apparent wind boat guys ?

If they are driving faster then the windspeed then the leading boat overtake the gust first.

Also a gust doesn't have to be equal of the full front of the wind. Gusts are macro turbulance if they are violant. Full front gusts are typically more gentle in the upswing and downswing. The leading boats can have been on the edge of such a spiral/vortex with the others being in the calm centre or further on the outside.

Also gusts can be caused by tall objects locally increasing windspeed that is stationary in speed relative to its location but will appear like a gust to an object moving into its path. Tall buildings and even the edges of the windmill park will cause such effects.

Thermodynamic laws of nature make wind flow AROUND objects more then flow OVER them, just like water would in a stream. At my formerly club we had a modest depression in the dunes on shore, not even that much, maybe 20 mtr and there would always be a wind channel right in front of it.

In the picture they appear to be close to shore with relatively tall buildings. Could it be that the front boats just sailed into a wind channel without preparing for it ?

Wouter