Maybe he's sitting on a turtled boat? That was some crazy stuff, trying to bear away around that mark!

looks more like a windsurfer to me, can see one sailing in the background

http://www.catsailingnews.com/ So this is what it is really like at the top of the pyramid - Apparent wind is the saving grace, and I bet the leaders have some foiling experience so they can keep boat speed up in the waves by over trimming the main and doing some needlework across the waves. Just a late night guess... this does illustrate the importance of safety boats. I wish we had some RIBs on Pensacola Bay.

This



did anyone bother to watch the Day 1 racing ??

its an entirely different "beast" compared to the 25~30knot vids



At the end of the day the cream of the crop will have themselves well and truly sorted out and know how to handle the boat well before the Olympics.


Question:
is there such a thing as a perfect catamaran ????




didn't think so

Pretty sure that was a rhetorical question...

I'm with you Bert. Nothing I hate more than running a regatta without RIBs. For any boats, not just small cats.

Mike

So we're going for increasing the hazard like that Canadian bobsled course where the dude whacked the pole at 90+ mph?

Yeah, that would be fun to watch....until someone actually gets hurt and then all the yelling will start again...

I'd be more inclined to watch it. Just sayin'

JC and Sarah had a good day yesterday. Sounds like they might have been in the lead but then capsized just before the finish. Still got a 10th.

Stoopid lack of rudder winglets!

Sure, NOW you come around...

Mike

Last word... the best in the world are supposed to make sailing the boat look easy. When it looks hard for them and slightly out of control.... ugh oh...

Not sure if this works - if you have a facebook account this link should take you to a video of a really nasty mark rounding. Some serious pucker factor.
I believe Sarah/John are the team rounding at about 13 secs.

Mike,
Mark and my relationship goes way back (20+ years)and is very complicated ( I'm always right and he's always wrong)and may not be as it appears on the intarweb, but thanks for your input don't know what I'd do without your insight and helpful comments.

I disagree. In challenging conditions like they have had in Palma, the boat should be a challenge to sail, even for the very best. That is what truly separates the Olympians from everyone else, and the medalists from the other Olympians. The top guys still have consistent finishes across the wind range, and it is extremely well deserved.

Being a challenge and making it look easy are two separate concepts.

As you correctly deduced, I was not aware of your little tryst. Was just trying to be funny, not a third wheel. Please don't feel threatened and get Dr. Phil involved...

Mike

+1

After sailing at the Worlds in AUS I watched many of the best struggle in 25+. Flips wash offs, etc. After talking to many, all admitted to being to various degrees out of their comfort zones. But the ability to keep moving/surviving faster than the rest of us weekend warriors shows the separation in their skill set.

+1

Don't worry, that Dr. Phil guy irritates me almost as much as Mark, if we decide to bring in a third ,you're it. Don't want ya feeling left out.Just remember Mark gets mad if he can't wear the St. Pauli girl costume.

OK, I'd be comfortable saying that's way, way more info than any of us ever wanted to know about the two of you...

Mike