The Tako Cup 2007 is now in the history books, but I’m still musing about it. I think TC 2007 was a real watershed event that will have a lasting impact on SL racing; I don’t want it to slip by too quickly without some comment and discussion. To paraphrase Samuel Johnson (or maybe it was Benjamin Franklin, depending on who you read):

 “A race unexamined is not worth sailing…”

I guess I think TC 2007 was interesting and important for maybe four reasons. I mean, there could be a bunch more reasons, but four is probably the most I can keep in my head at the moment as I sit on a boat in the Caribbean.  Anyway, with that disclaimer, and with apologies for any vacation misspelling and poor grammar, here are the four points:

#1: Wind Shadowing. This summer Kanker Greenacre released the Tako 3.3, an upgrade with a major new feature: wind shadowing effects.  Technology seems to drive progress in many areas, and I think wind shadowing could be an innovation that fundamentally changes SL sailboat racing. “Wind shadowing” is the descriptive term for what happens between two boats when one moves windward to the other. The windward boat blocks the wind, effectively stealing it from the boat that lies leeward. The windward boat casts a “wind blanket” that points downwind, and the magnitude of the wind shadow effect, not surprisingly, depends on the size of the windward boat’s sail and the distance separating the two boats.

Wind shadowing is an extremely important tactic in real life sailboat racing. It’s hard to overstate the importance of this innovation, and It’s my guess that wind shadowing will fairly quickly completely revolutionize SL sailboat racing. If you think about it, without wind shadow, SL racing is pretty much a competition based on each skipper’s ability to manage their own boat position and maximize their sheeting angle on the racecourse. Unless they physically block each other, the boats really don’t interact, and a boat that crosses the Start first and garners a slight lead stands a pretty good chance of winning any race.  It’s interesting and fun, but maybe not rocket science. Kind of like a game of checkers on the back porch.

The introduction of wind shadowing, however, is a true game-changer.  Wind shadowing suddenly provides a race skipper with a host of strategic options that closely parallel what happens on the water in RL racing. Suddenly the boats are able to directly interact with each other, often in complex ways. The change in SL sailboat racing is both subtle and profound.  A race might look the same as it did before wind shadowing, but it’s not. In fact, nearly everything has changed. It’s like moving from checkers to chess.

The impact of this feature on SL Tako racing was quickly remarkable. Suddenly boats were jockeying for windward position, and shouts of “Leeward” and “Up Up Up!” could be heard everywhere, as the lee boats attempted to defend themselves. It’s now a common occurrence to look over your shoulder on a downwind leg and see another boat coming up astern, eating your wind.  Your sorry little boat begins… inexorably… to slow down as you fumble to do something – anything - to break free. Then, with a sickening, greyed-out ‘whop!’  your spinnaker collapses from asphyxiation and you sit there helpless, watching the competition zoom past to windward.

Hey… just like real life!

#2: spd 6: The second reason TC 2007 may have long-lasting impact on SL Racing is “spd 6.”

 I have to begin this discussion by saying that I’m delighted to finally get a chance here to give a big shout-out to MarkTwain White for his dedication to sailing in SL, RL, and for all I know, frostbiting on Europa. I think he deserves huge credit for two major decisions regarding TC 2007. These decisions not only reveal the depth of MTW’s personal knowledge of real-life sailing, but also demonstrate a remarkable clarity of vision for the future of SL racing.

OKOK… So what did he do? Well, give me a second. I’m getting to that.

As everybody reading this column knows, the regular, informal club races usually start with a “standard” wind setting for the particular start line. At SYC the wind speed is usually spd 10 (10 m/s) and at NYC it’s spd 11. However, after the fleet du jour does a few runs on a given course, somebody often chimes: “Hey, that was okay, but let’s try it again with more wind!” It’s pretty common to then crank up the wind to spd 14 and beyond during fun races, and - god knows - the Big Cat Cup races even use spd 18!

I admit these gale force races are great fun, particularly if you are in a time zone where the race takes place during cocktail hour. Although I admit that I personally try not to drink alcohol while racing (since I need both hands to control the boat), I’m willing to acknowledge I’m as guilty as anyone for running high-speed races. It’s a huge amount of fun and a big adrenaline rush.

However, the races often end up like bumper-cars. I’m pretty sure racing Force 10 wind does not make me a better sailor, any more than playing ‘chicken’ in Rebel Without a Cause made James Dean a better driver.

Anyway, let’s get back to the Tako Cup. As the TC 2007 qualifying round progressed, several sailors again suggested “let’s crank it up and see what these guys are really made of.” However,  that did not happen; MarkTwain White had his own fiendish plan. He decided to turn the wind DOWN to spd 6. That single adjustment changed everything again . Suddenly the races were not about quick reflexes or fast video refresh rates. At spd 6, skill and strategy became much more important than speed.

Personally, I think MTW’s decision will have an impact that extends far beyond the small number of prima donna racers that made the final rounds. MTW’s message registered with all SL sailors, and for many weeks thereafter we all raced the Olympic Course using spd 6. This low wind speed was far from boring. In fact, it was often a nail-biting challenge that left you watching the boat behind gradually inch up on your stern.

Sailing in light wind gives you the time to see all the other boats and guess at their strategy. You then have to weigh your options, keep a cool head, and choose your best tactical response.

As your faithful reporter here, I attended several of the semifinal light wind elimination races. High above the racecourse, those of us on the observation deck all riveted our attention on the race boats, second-guessing the choices of the competition skippers and trying to predict the outcome. The light winds actually made these races more exciting to watch, not less, since the slower speed enabled a wealth of tactical moves that no skipper would imagine trying under a stiffer breeze.

In fact, I’m fully convinced that the best sailing lesson I’ve ever had in SL wasn’t in a boat. It was the hour I spent watching M1sha Dallin and Armchair Binder fight it out on the Olympic course at spd 6. Their display of sailing knowledge and skill was absolutely breathtaking.

Bottom line: I think MTW’s decision to play out the final rounds using light winds emphasized an important point that I hope guides future race planning. In the final analysis, sailboat racing is not about speed. It’s about skill, experience, endurance and determination. 

Speaking of dedication and determination, I know I said I had four points to make, and so far I’ve only covered two. Unfortunately, I have an appointment tonight with Carlos and Charlie, two of a Caribbean sailor’s best friends. I can’t keep them waiting, so you’ll need to wait a day for part II of this tale.