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Forum Index: DISCUSSION: Dock Talk: Race 2 Start Penalty

peterbrown77 *** Feb 16, 2010, 3:30 AM Post #1 of 9 (10346 views) Shortcut Race 2 Start Penalty Log-In to Post/Reply Here's my theory on why A5 so messed up in the start sequence: I believe they were thoroughly convinced there would be no race at all, because they had told their representatives on the RC boat to not cooperate and start. When the first flag went up, they were caught completely flat-footed and in the confusion couldn't get to the box in time.

Mal **** Feb 16, 2010, 6:12 AM Post #2 of 9 (10333 views) Shortcut Re: [peterbrown77] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply The recent news of the "strike" is beginning to explain a lot. I think you may well be correct. I am in the midst of wading through the legal issues since the end of 32 and though I'm no where near knowledgeable on the subject yet, I am amazed. The postponement flags went down, the warning flags went up. If they were caught flat footed, it's just another example of Alinghi's inept sailing. One of the best examples was on the upwind in race 2 crossing BOR and instead of a lee bow they crossed and overstood the lay line. If that wasn't enough, they immediately pointed at the mark. A multihull needs to sail way off the wind to develop the relative wind regardless of how bad it looks to those on board. Honestly; it's almost as if they hadn't ever sailed a multihull or match raced or they were just trying to show themselves that they were indeed leading. The lee bow might well have been unsuccessful but as in covering early in race 1; that was no reason not to try. Don't get me wrong; this is all Monday morning quarterbacking. Those boats are more than a hand full and I, obviously, couldn't do nearly as well and have little right to criticize, but I was smacking my forehead in several places at Alinghi's sailing...... Check Six .......Mal

peterbrown77 *** Feb 16, 2010, 6:57 AM Post #3 of 9 (10324 views) Shortcut Re: [Mal] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply I don't know if you can really blame them about the upwind cross. USA 17 was right on the layline, and only 100 meters behind at the cross. If A5 had attempted a lee bow, the would not have laid the mark, since they would have had to give up windward distance while accelerating. Also there was a real risk of tacking too close and incurring a second penalty, which they would have to clear immediately I do think they sailed too far before tacking. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if A5 had rounded in the lead. How would they have defended it against a boat that was sailing 4-7 knots faster on the second leg? It could have been fun to watch!

Mal **** Feb 16, 2010, 7:36 AM Post #4 of 9 (10320 views) Shortcut Re: [peterbrown77] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply I was of the opinion that USA 17 had actually overstood the lay line themselves. Though it might have been due to a wind shift; it was definitely the case as they steadied out on a course to the top mark. Maybe A5 made the same mis judgment thinking USA had barely layed the mark but even that doesn't excuse not trying the lee bow. The worst that could happen is that they would miss, or, as you said, have to do an immediate turn and be behind at the mark with another penalty turn to do. The best would be the position to luff up USA or get a canceling penalty. We saw how well USA does getting out of irons; what was it 400 meters or so the last time? Do I really think either would have happened? No, but it was their only chance. The slower boat ahead simply has to engage if it has even the slightest chance. If the lead changes, all is lost. The delta may go sky high like in race 1 but 2 -0 is 2 -0 regardless of the delta.... You're right; A5 between USA and the mark or the finish and engaged would have been some good entertainment! Edit on the lee bow issue...... see Kosteckie's comments on the Sailing World site. http://www2.worldpub.net/images/sw/4-SWAudio_100214_Kostecki.mp3 He did overstand the layline. Check Six .......Mal

jrb *** Feb 16, 2010, 8:07 AM Post #5 of 9 (10316 views) Shortcut Re: [Mal] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply Lee bow isn't a particularly useful tactic wrt AC33. The window of opportunity for a lee bow is tiny, compared to their use in previous generations of AC boats. Might have been worth a try, but I think BMWO would have sailed right over A5?

Mal **** Feb 16, 2010, 9:22 AM Post #6 of 9 (10314 views) Shortcut Re: [jrb] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply You're right, nothing more than a Hail Mary .... then again, why not? Check Six .......Mal

waiknot **** Feb 16, 2010, 12:06 PM Post #7 of 9 (10303 views) Shortcut Re: [Mal] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply I think Peter's observation is on the money, Alinghi were so confident there would be no race, due to the pending strike on the start boat. they were not tuned in or geared up for the entire race.

peterbrown77 *** Feb 16, 2010, 12:37 PM Post #8 of 9 (10297 views) Shortcut Re: [waiknot] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply Also, with respect to lee-bowing USA - don't forget that USA17 could outpoint A5 by about 5 degrees. She would have to just tack right in front of USA17 and hope that the header off their sails would put them both on the same heading, with USA17 in less pressure. It could have been far different if the lead was 200 meters. Also, I think USA17 must have hooked into a nice left shift when they tacked, because A5's lead was fast disappearing. Maybe they were too fixated on the coming cross to see the header, but A5 was definitely very soft in those last 10 boat lengths before they met. Then again, who knows what Butterworth was thinking? They finally had A5 on the move, they'd held the lead almost the entire first beat, and USA17 seemed to be on the ropes. Rule 1 - if you're winning, don't change what you're doing. And no one knew what the relative performance was going to be between the boats on a reach. A5's only prayer was to open up a 700 meter lead that they would need to complete their penalty. So that whole screwed up start really constrained their options at that cross. The had to be conservative to protect what they had, not knowing what was going to happen on Leg 2. I bet Bertarelli's wishing he'd agreed to best of seven! It's not the only miscalculation he made.

waiknot **** Feb 16, 2010, 3:04 PM Post #9 of 9 (10286 views) Shortcut Re: [peterbrown77] Race 2 Start Penalty [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply I think even Bertarelli knew that he couldnt get the starting team to go on strike 7 times hence the need for the best of 3.

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