Bart wrote:
I agree completely with you Doug. I like it when it is nasty
out there. It is an opportunity for good judgment (i.e. not
setting a spinnaker) might mean passing a string of broached
yachts. Judgment is part of the game.


It definitely should be, it's part of the good seamanship
that many non-racing sailors claim us racers lack.

Sailing in heavy air is also a different skill set, like
racing in light air. You have to tune in to different
actions, have different reflexes & priorities. That's one of
the great things about sailing, it's many sports rolled into
one.

I've been in races that were abandoned when the RC had to
leave station to go rescue boats. That's forgiveable, but to
have them simply call it off because "it's too windy" is
just lame.

In the races I've been in that were abandoned because of the
RC going to the rescue, I made it a point later on to give
some friendly coaching to the guys who needed rescuing...
never did mention that they cost me places (probably some
silverware).

DSK