Watched one of the races today Luke. It was between the UK and NZ boat and from a few days ago I believe. The NZ boat actually lapped the UK boat and was at times going three and four times as fast! Never seen anything like it and didn't understand what was happening at all. The boats are obviously very similar but this particular race was a complete mis match with the Kiwis totally dominant - embarrassingly so. The crews are also pretty similar in their expertise but this race was lost before the start.
What I couldn't understand is why the UK boat seemed unable to change anything and quickly accepted it was going to lose badly? Are they not able to change things or use their racing knowledge/expertise, or once out on the water they just have to accept they've made the wrong decisions beforehand? No matter who wins or loses this was an awful 'race.' The other boats look a little more evenly matched so why is the UK boat so slow?
I'm sure the main reason to have the same design guidelines/budgets etc is to have closer racing and the winners decided more through seamanship etc.
Perhaps I've read this wrong and it's all gamesmanship ahead of the real stuff?
Very confused Luke but don't forget I'm old!
Reg Wyatt
What I couldn't understand is why the UK boat seemed unable to change anything and quickly accepted it was going to lose badly? Are they not able to change things or use their racing knowledge/expertise, or once out on the water they just have to accept they've made the wrong decisions beforehand? No matter who wins or loses this was an awful 'race.' The other boats look a little more evenly matched so why is the UK boat so slow?
I'm sure the main reason to have the same design guidelines/budgets etc is to have closer racing and the winners decided more through seamanship etc.
Perhaps I've read this wrong and it's all gamesmanship ahead of the real stuff?
Very confused Luke but don't forget I'm old!
Reg Wyatt