Big breeze banter

Comments in Scuttlebutt and elsewhere have mentioned how the strong winds at Acura Key West are not all that strong in the big picture, and that they should not be playing the role that they are. The Melges 32 class has an upper wind limit that kept them ashore on Wednesday, while the attrition in the other fleets indicated another form of limit that competitors found for themselves.

During the postponement Wednesday morning, Dave Ullman mentioned how he thought the day could/should very well be cancelled, if only for the simple reason that not all are well-prepared for the conditions. For many folks, their venture south had been preceded by a significant, winterized break, and their ability to handle big breeze is not what it would be later in the season.

Maybe this is not a reason to cancel a day of racing (particularly in beautiful Key West), but it is also a nice thought that every entry is able to compete to the end, and not be filtered out by the conditions. Part of competing is feeling that you can compete, and the pleasure you take from being a player. When a fourth of the fleet did not compete on Wednesday (either DNC, DNS, or DNF), it makes you wonder.

It would have been a no-win decision for the race organizers to have canceled the racing on Wednesday, particularly with the span of ability from the professionally sailed classes to the smaller PHRF entries. Of course, the good news at Acura Key West is regardless of race or sit, strong or light winds, the tent will be there to greet all sailors at days end with plenty of rum drinkies, the weather will be warm (usually), and the town will be there to carry folks as far into the night (and morning) as they desire.

Mount Gay Rum bar getting prepped