Extreme 40 crash decision

It seems to me that the leeward boat is pinned on port tack despite being a long way ahead.
These boats are fast in a straight line but lumber through tacks.
The leeward boat presumably could not pinch up to the windward boat's track, so they are stuck on port unless they risk a collision.
Maybe they could have borne off a little to give themselves space to tack instead of trying to get up to the mark?
Maybe the chop slowed the boat through the tack more than they expected, that is a foul piece of water at some states of the tide.

Maybe crashes are part of the circus, it's probably all rigged like wrestling used to be I suspect!
Lucky no one got hurt.

Originally posted by Rupert Love to see Big Daddy V's Giant Haystacks match racing in AC45's!

Those guys knew a bit about showmanship, and most importantly, timing!