49er medal race

Incidentally, if you want an idea of how the general public perceives sailing,
then take a look at the Sun's website. The report of Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle
has 70 comments and the report of Ben Ainslie's Gold medal has 1 comment.
The general public unfortunately doesn't give a sh*t.

I really wouldn't like to be on this protest committee. Nothing like this has
happened before at this level, so it's new ground. I'd have thought that it
would be pretty straightforward to find against the Danes, but it's quite
interesting that the committee have decided to re-convene tomorrow,
stating that the case is complicated. Sounds like this could go either way.

I think that for certain, this has been a worst-case scenario for the medal
race format, which has blown up in the faces of those who championed it.

Originally posted by Roy Race I really wouldn't like to be on this protest committee. Nothing like this has happened before at this level, so it's new ground. I'd have thought that it would be pretty straightforward to find against the Danes, but it's quite interesting that the committee have decided to re-convene tomorrow, stating that the case is complicated. Sounds like this could go either way. I think that for certain, this has been a worst-case scenario for the medal race format, which has blown up in the faces of those who championed it.

 

Totally agree; I can see the ctte pawing over the Danish boat to see if it was damaged "enough" to justify borrowing another boat; then were the correct procedures followed, and correct paperwork filed.

 

I can see there boing uproar either way.

 

Edit to add.  What ever happens, if I was at 2012, I would insist on having a second boat available, fully rigged, with the correct stickers on for the medal race as it is non-discardable. 

If it's non-discardable, surely you should be on the line to try and win it.

 

But, part of sailing is preserving the boat to finish the race.

 

If it goes one way people will get tow's to the start and get released 15 seconds before the prep gun goes if it's windy, if it goes the other, everyone will bring spare boats.   

 

Edited by Scooby_simon

Sorry to my eyes the 49's looked bad in the light wind and were a joke in the big seas today and should they be racing boats that only work in a narrow range of conditions

There are any number of less extreme boats that would make for better racing, and thus better TV veiwing in a full range of conditions...

As a Musto skiff 29er sailor I clearly like my modern fast boats but i dont think the 49er has made for the best sailing at this olympics.

 

The 470's medal race looks much more impressive to me, & lets be honest non sailors don't watch any of the sailing.