>Richard Sherratt wrote:

>> On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:15:41 +0100, Ben newsam
>> gmail.com> wrote:
>>

>>> On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:03:02 GMT, Richard Sherratt
>>> NOTHINGHEREbrunsley.com.au> wrote:
>>>

>>>> So I would be right in thinking that it's not like this?
>>>>
>>>> http://www.a-cat.org.au/photoscurrent.html

>>>
>>> Some good pics there.
>>>

>>>> Here's an example of what not to do
>>>>
>>>> http://www.a-cat.org.au/archive3.html
>>>>
>>>> That is a classic cartwheel.

>>>
>>> My goodness, those things look a bit skittish.

>>
>> They can be. It's a high performance machine. I always found them easy
>> to sail, but you need to pay attention to what's going on around you.
>> Because it's an open design class (min weight, max length, beam and
>> sail area + no hydrofoils are the only rules), there are some dodgy
>> hulls around. There are also some dodgy sailors. In this photo the guy
>> was heading downwind on a broad reach (high speed) when the lee bow
>> got buried, maybe because of a sudden gust. The buried bow slows right
>> down, but the rest of the boat doesn't. It sort of trips over the bow.
>> If you're on the trapeze at the time, it acts like a slingshot. I've
>> seen guys 15' in the air and 30' from their boat.

>
>Definitely not as violent, but did a similar thing in a Firefall back in the
>mid sixties. Lots of noise, physical contact with firm objects but managed
>to get out of the drink and finished the race in a reasonable place - but
>cold!