I was the primary Committee Boat at our races for Kentucky Laje Sailing Club and just retired after doing it for 10 years. During that time, we held a lot of races, probably in excess of 75. I had onboard computers, great weather software, tracking KVH with the Weather Channel and we still occasionally got caught in some bad weather on a distance race. Conditions change so fast that the Race Committee and the Committee boat can only do so much. It is well understood by our racers that it is their and only their responsibility to decide when to race and when to quit. We didn't race when conditions were bad, but forecasts are hjust that - educated guesses, not reality. We experienced gust fronts to 60 knots and had one boat dismast, even after we put out warnings that the gust from was moving down the lake. Racers are interested in winning. As for those of you who think the Committee Boat and Race Committee can enforce life jacket rules, we don't monitor the boats after they leave the starting gate, so it is up to each Captain and crew.
I understand the Race Committee's decision to start this race. If the storm track had been 25 miles either side of that race course, this blog wouldn't even be here. I can guarantee you that the Race Committtee regrets this as much as anybody. They did't want this to happen and are not responsible for it.