Flying Lap

I think it could be a really good idea. But not with a triangles. If you're mid fleet, it's the dirty air on the beats that kills you. You're actually in the pretty decent position tactically to do overtaking on the first downwind if you're buried in the pack (leaders still close, and blanketed by fleet). So I just can't see anyone electing to the triangle anytime but at the end. 

What would really help overtaking is an outer loop beat, that you reach across to after the first leeward mark. That would give people in the mid pack an opportunity sail their second beat in clear air, which would really give an opportunity to catch up. 

Originally posted by Sam.Spoons Originally posted by RS400atC Could be interesting with some of the rules? Proper course?  'Mark' that only hasa required side when you choose? Interferin with a boat on a different leg? Happens all the time with assys and syms racing the same courses.....

Could be interesting with some of the rules?

Proper course?

'Mark' that only hasa required side when you choose?

Interferin with a boat on a different leg?

 you'd have to  place a 'slave'  recording boat  at this wing mark 

They do something very similar in Rallycross, and it works well in that, certainly from my point of view as a spectator. Everyone has to do one longer lap at some point during the race. It works as a good 'get out of jail' for someone who gets stuck in traffic at the back (go and do the longer lap early to get some clear space), and there are a lot of tactics around when people in the middle pick their moment to work out where they are going to end up in the traffic after it.

The laps would be a bit longer (10 minutes instead of about 1 minute per lap), but I think it would work. It wouldn't be too bad for the race team to manage, they would just need to leave someone stationed on the gybe mark all the time to check people off.