I’ve been on both sides of this; Focused on the lead and speed; cruising and accosted by a fleet of racer maniacs sucking up RoW. I have also participated in other racing venues, skiing, auto, motorcycle and bicycle. In all those race events there is a designated crew that sweeps the course of hazards and people. For years I rode a motorcycle that lead a series of bicycle race pelotons clearing the course of cows, cars, and people, providing radio comms to race officials concerning the state of their course.
I never see that kind of organization and safety provision in sailboat racing. They just fire off a gun and everybody goes for it. So what happened to Vestas and the fishing boat is entirely predictable. I realize you can’t clear the entire southern ocean, but you can damn well clear one of the busiest waterways in the world as your fleet approaches Hong Kong.