Abandon for Wind Shifts

   I think you will struggle to get away from "If I am at the back bin it, but let it go if I am at the front".  Whenever a race is binned it helps some and hinders others and the same goes for a big shift.  The regular front of fleet sailors seem to accept this and just get on with it.  I have found most complaints when it is mid fleet/back of fleet racers who suddenly find themselves at the front because of a big shift.  
They have got there by accident but seem to think that they spotted a big shift that the top flight have missed. I know this because it used to be me!
I remember one nationals when the wind shifted just before the start, and I got my best start of the meeting.  It was only when I read the report afterwards that I realised I was lucky. Whilst the top flight just clawed their way back through us donuts who were at the wrong end of the line before the shift, the mid fleet started shouting at the PRO.
Personally I think wind shifts are something that we as dinghy racers just have to accept.  I have never really understood why races are abandoned because of a shift in the wind.  It is the same for everyone on the race track. Let it go and we all sail the race.
I do think that there should be minimum wind speeds for racing, but that is a different rant altogether.

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bigwavedave Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jun 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 944	Post Options Post Reply Quote bigwavedave Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Abandon for Wind Shifts Posted: 20 Feb 05 at 11:48am
	I think you will struggle to get away from "If I am at the back bin it, but let it go if I am at the front". Whenever a race is binned it helps some and hinders others and the same goes for a big shift. The regular front of fleet sailors seem to accept this and just get on with it. I have found most complaints when it is mid fleet/back of fleet racers who suddenly find themselves at the front because of a big shift. They have got there by accident but seem to think that they spotted a big shift that the top flight have missed. I know this because it used to be me! I remember one nationals when the wind shifted just before the start, and I got my best start of the meeting. It was only when I read the report afterwards that I realised I was lucky. Whilst the top flight just clawed their way back through us donuts who were at the wrong end of the line before the shift, the mid fleet started shouting at the PRO. Personally I think wind shifts are something that we as dinghy racers just have to accept. I have never really understood why races are abandoned because of a shift in the wind. It is the same for everyone on the race track. Let it go and we all sail the race. I do think that there should be minimum wind speeds for racing, but that is a different rant altogether.


Ralph T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ralph T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 05 at 11:18am
	As a race officer, I am finding it increasingly difficult to decide when to abandon a race due to a big wind shift which is not likely to come back. The definition of 'big' is always open to interpretation but decisions to abandon seem to vary considerably. The last 2 Olympics have seen some big shifts but the race was not abandoned (was it Sydney 49er 1st race when the wind did a 180 & lost Ian & Simon the race lead & probably Gold?). Having decided that if it is good enough for the Olympics, it must be good enough for the UK, I have had one serious shift in a Nationals which I let go as the race was well under way & was berated (nicely, but forcibly) for the rest of the week. Fellow Race Officers will obviously have their own views on when they would make a decision but the most important view is from the sailor. Would be really interested to know what the attitude of competitors (at National or big national type events) is towards this problem, but not just "If I am at the back bin it, but let it go if I am at the front "