Summing up ...

Do you honestly think they forgot to cover?   Even if they had initially planned to go port, they would have protected their prestart advantage if they could. It looked to me like they were pinned out by AUS on the port side. Team racing? Maybe, maybe not.... Either way trying to match race in a fleet race was always a tall order for both NZL and GBR.

Fantastic results. What a week Wonderful to see the 470 guys ecstatically congratulating one another in the water just across the finish!
I agree the visual coverage was brilliant; great variety of different locations - onboard, from the air, from RIBs on the course - but the commentary woefully inadequate from some of the team, well, mainly one. Lucy O'Conner on the boxing -  that's how it should be done.
No wonder some find sailing coverage boring when commentary fails to explain basic techniques, so that those who know nothing can begin to understand the subtleties, and decisions that have to be constantly made to suit an ever-changing unpredictable scenario.
Did anyone spot this amusing Richard Simmonds gaffe - mistaking the Finns for the Aussies in the match-racing, when it's plain that the Finns are leading not even a minute into the start? Watch from the start at 02:09:54
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/live-video/p00w32nb
his blooper is at 02:10:49, and there's a wry stifled chuckle from Leigh Macmillan at 02:11:11


Edited by Fahrenden Gesellen - 11 Aug 12 at 10:03am

Originally posted by pondmonkey Originally posted by Peaky Do you reckon the kiters will come from the existing world of kites or squaddie sailors switching over? I could imagine some 49er crews being tempted. It depends on definitions.... yes, I reckon they will have ktiesurfed before recreationally maybe.  Do I think the kities will come from the existing world of kiteboard racing?  No, except probably in the US where they can't get a pathway up the front drive, never mind to an Olympic sailing medal.  Some ex 29er crew called Johnny Heineken is suitably named and locked for the cool wall.  I'm sure he'll get his ass suitably schooled on what it really takes to make an Olympic champion in due course.   From the UK.... watch out for the RS:X or Freestyly transitioners....  although there's one kid, Olly Bridge, who's likely to feature in the front runners for selection and is already an early days medal hopeful.  His mum being the 'bird option' apparently.

AIUI banned in Sydney harbour too?

Low point of the TV coverage - the red flag protest between FIN and RUSin the match racing. Quite obviously the commentators had not a clue about standard MR procedure for resolving disputes.

And their incapacity to explain the idea of giving room to keep clear when ROW boat changes course - as happened in one of the AUS/ESP final races. BBC should give Bill O'Hara a job!

Gordon