Every team needs a tough loss at some point, otherwise how do you improve? You just hope it doesn't happen at something like a big Festival though.
Roli Rebels was the best surprise of the weekend, way to go
For the record, I never discounted Specialty Subaru, I know they are front runner. My prediction had to be based on recorded results thus far though. As far as the dig to that team, that was only from Imposter. It's probably not the general concensus.
I believe the difference in speed of the Gemini/6-16 can also be attributed to the length of the hull.
I've been wondering about this for awhile, but needed the Regatta to see for myself. For example, take a snowboard, ski or skateboard. The longer you have it, the faster you go.
I'm not an engineer, but I assume it's because the weight is more evenly distributed, you actually have less weight in any one specific spot, therefore you can go faster.
The 6-16 is a lot heavier, but you can walk up to, say a parked yacht, and push it around on the water. The other thing to consider, is ask anyone what the two dboats feel like to paddle in, and they usually say they can't tell the difference.
Sit in the drummers seat and you'll notice the Gemini's do accelerate much more quickly during a racestart. So the weight does make a difference there.
It doesn't seem like teams are having that much difficulty getting them up to top speed, maybe it has to do with Glide. (y'know, that magical word whispered about). Certainly the 6-16's
must be able to glide better than the Gemini's just b/c of their length in the water.
Which beggars the question, does anyone really, I mean really know what Glide is?Am I wrong here? Point it out if I am, I'd really like to know too.
Anyhow, I think all this just goes to show what an excellant boat the 6-16 always were, and still is. Someone needs to buy Vincent Lo a round of beers.
