Racing Tactics

[Gary Wyngarden]

I am not a racer. But I thought it was gospel in sailboat match racing that you covered the other boat if you were leading and the trailing boat tacked to another side of the course. One World lost to Oracle yesterday (today?) because they failed to do that. I don't think it would have affected the outcome of the series, but it seems kind of dumb to me. Any thoughts from racing skippers?Gary WyngardenS/V Shibumi H335

 

[Craig Steinkraus]

Greed !

I have raced for years, and I agree with you Gary,that not doing so (covering Oracle) probably cost them the race. That being said, even knowing the tactical correct thing to do would have been very difficult to do when your driving the boat. It's tough to turn away from the mark when you'r heading straight for it, to cover an opponent. I would guess that OW weighed that very option, and felt that because Oracle kept reaching off , they could increase their lead by staying the course. They basically got Greedy, and got caught...IMHO...Craig Steinkraus" Wings " c38 #280

 

[Chuck Wayne]

greed!

I've also been racing for many years, and greed is the right word! in fleet racing, it's a tactical and difficult decision which boat to cover, and sailing the "best" course is often the only choice to maintain your lead over multiple boats. In match racing, it doesn't matter when you finish, as long as it's ahead of the other guy! oneworld screwed up, and oracle did the right thing with the hail mary play-they weren't going to catch up by following oneworld, and oneworld, for whatever reason, forget the #1 rule in match racing-stay between your opponent and the finish line!