Race week in Cowes. Absolute madhouse.I can't believe all the traffic in the area. What a zoo.
At some (not all) of our races, the PRO reads the riot act to the racers that you are not to mess with tankers or USCG boats, and if you do, it is grounds for a DSQ. We have a charity regatta coming up, and the course is in the main ship channel. I am sure we're gonna get "The talk" at the skippers meeting.If you look closely at the video, you'll see the government mark and the fact that the ship was restricted by draft and also had a tow line from the back of the ship to a tug boat keeping the stern lined up and to help maneuvering. I San Francisco, all the competitors know that is is a disqualification if you cross within a certain distance in front of a ship since their forward visibility is restricted up to a mile. There is no doubt that the sailboat is at fault. By the looks of the collapsing spinnaker, the reaction was too late and the boat couldn't turn because the main was still sheeted in. Should have kept the chute trimmed and gone for max speed. Might have made it, maybe.
Are you saying they actually won the Darwin or are you nominating. I would second the nomination. It looks from the video that the skipper was going to stay the course at "all" costs. There is no substitute for discretion and common sense, although common sense is listed in my Oxymoron dictionary along with military intelligence and congressional ethics. Fair winds and full sails...Darwin Award Winner, July, 2011