All data logged by Vakaros devices
Start
The start line was biased to port and it allowed the AUS 00 to cross in front of half of the fleet after bearing away behind some of the boats. Ita 3 and GBR 68 showed impressive speed again and have popped out in front.
1st upwind
Ita3 and GBR 68 were jumping in front of the rest. Ita3 didn’t have the best first tack, losing a lot and getting covered by AUS01 and GBR68. AUS 01 has also fallen behind GBR68 which had a solid lead at the top. Aus00 going right was far from being a good option. In the polar graph is clearly visible (yellow dots) how low the angle is on the starboard tack in the mid of the lake. 20 degrees more left wind there than at the start.
1st Downwind
After rounding the mark GBR 68 had some issues and has lost a lot. Left mark boats have fallen out of the pressure and NZL 45 gained a lot on them by rounding the other mark.
LW gate
There was significant bias of over 30m. This allowed NZL45 to come from 60m behind AUS01 into the lead after the mark rounding. Those moments are easy to catch in the app, using the DTL (distance to leader) value. There is a huge sudden bump that is easily seen. The “Race” stats screen shows where you started the leg compared to other boats and is possible to see more than 30m of difference. Also, rounding the gate and tacking can lead you into the cleaner lane for the long left leg, and is quite often a good option for the boats in the back. Staying in wind shadow slows you down a lot, and makes you go lower, hitting the shore sooner and then again not being able to get any clear lane since boats that covered you tack directly above you again.
Usually, the easiest rule is if you can clearly see the gate bias, then is big enough that you should take advantage of it. Unless there is an extremely strong reason not to.
2nd upwind
Going to the land was again gaining, so NZL 45 lost some of the advantage it gained by going to the right side gate. AUS01 has nailed the layline and sailed by far the fastest upwind. Most of the other boats went over the left layline. Going right kept you in the lift but then there was, as always before, a long low starboard way back.
2nd downwind
Sailors have learned the lesson that quite often is a good option to take the right-hand gate and gybe. This happened especially in the later races of the day. So most went around it and those that didn’t have again lost some meters. The gybe needed to come soon after rounding, NOR kept going a bit longer and lost. ARG 4880 did the fastest downwind.
