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[FONT=KDDJLA+Arial,Arial] it is impossible for the on water judges to prove that there is not a puff or that the little tiny ripple 'moving' your boat is not a wave. [/FONT]
[FONT=KDDJLA+Arial,Arial]Any thoughts? [/FONT]
I put "legal" in quotes because that is what this discussion is all about - the clear division of legal vs not. Some of us read the rule as a very strict law, others look to the judges to control, others feel out the fleet and conform to the "playground rules".
I think that every Laser sailor needs to be able to sail under all three styles mentioned above:
Club racing tends to be very quiet with kinetic movement, and peer pressure is the rule. These races tend to be run under the strictest of peer law.
National level events, such as the 1998 Midwinters East, tend to have a Judge who makes his presence known, might make a few calls to set the tone (especially in the practice race), and generally keeps the top of the fleet in line. The Judge and the "norm" of the fleet will determine how much actual movement is tolerated. (Ian did an effective job of control at this event with very casual hints to the day's worse offenders on shore.)
Regional World qualifiers tend to have great US/Canadian sailors attend and fight for the top spots. In these events, sailors push the kinetic rules quite hard. I almost feel like this style regatta has the most diverse range of movements throughout the fleet. Judges at these events tend to avoid making calls, or focus largely on mark roundings and race management (that's really a guess).
World level (Dubai Worlds), and Olympic style regattas (SPA, pre-Olympics) tend to bring on the heavy hitter yellow flag Judges. I see movement escalate from the national events to these World events in general. The depth of the fleet seems to allow more movement, and the competitors seem happy to be judged fairly and closely. The competitors are EXPERT at identifying the Judge boat's location, and zeroing in on what the judges are calling. For example in Dubai, the Judges were extremely active on the starting line calling sculling and leech snapping. However downwind in the huge waves there were fairly leanient on their calls.
Gouvernail, you just love to torch those bridges! And just when you paid off the old one.
I want it to be like the Finn's when the wind reaches X windspeed and above, the RC can wave rule 42
I think you know what I mean...
it means when the wind reaches X speed, they drop rule 42, allowing you to go crazy
As George C used to say "SERENITY NOW!!!"
LOL;-)
I have been racing small boats for fifty seasons.
Perhaps all they need to do is clarify what is acceptable for lasers?The rule is horrible and needs to be set aside until it is written properly enough to enhance rather then screw up our fun.
Lots of the "cheat" motions look plain ugly.
I want it to be like the Finn's when the wind reaches X windspeed and above, the RC can wave rule 42