"Wayne B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:58:06 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

Sailing is a serious
business and people ignore that fact at the peril of their very lives.

That's certainly a true statement but racers are notorious for cutting
corners with respect to safety in my opinion. I raced for many years
but tried very hard to ensure that we were properly equipped and in a
suitable boat. Unfortunately the trend is towards lighter boats with
greater sail area. That unquestionably creates a faster boat that is
more fun to sail in average conditions but the ability to self recover
from a capsize is seriously compromised.

The boat that capsized is a Kiwi 35, an ultra light design that relies
on hiking wings for stability. It has been controversial for many
years and this time people got caught off base. The race organizers
are partly responsible for allowing the boat in the race. Offshore
events like Newport-Bermuda have much stricter standards and would
never have permitted it.

http://www.sailinganarchy.com/fringe/2004/images/fun%20in%20the%20sun.jpg

http://sailboatdata.com/imagehelper.asp?FILE_id=3879




Yes, oftentimes racers seem to be more concerned with winning than with
safety. They take too many chances and use equipment that is too flimsy all
in the name of weight savings. Most accidents occur because conditions
become too severe for them or the boat to survive but they attempted to
carry on in spite.

It is folly to place finish line ahead of of life line.

Had they thrown in the towel sooner rather than later and changed their
focus to safety ahead of winning they probably would have lived to race
another day. But, let me reiterate. I think it is their right to place
winning above their lives. But, given that, it does not make that right any
less of a folly.


Wilbur Hubbard