Jake, I agree about the starts, even though they each take turns coming in from the left and right, they always do the exact same thing, come at each other, round up and luff to a standstill (actaully started drifting backwards today!) then bear away and the game begins. Still, I saw plenty of times when the advantage was given away by all teams.

One of the comentators made a very good point about Chris Dickson. He said Chris had not spent nearly as much time doing the match racing tours that all the other skippers had. He had spent too much time being -everything- on BMW Oracle. When one guy spends too much time trying to run the entire campaign, I think his brain is fried when it comes to just starting the race. He lost every start he had. Un-be-frigg'n-lieveable.

I had very high hopes for BMW Oracle, with all the money and time they had invested, I figured they were in the semi's for sure. But I have a new respect for James Spithill and the Italian team, they looked very good. Great race by the Spainiards today too. Should be a good one on Tuesday as well, I hope.

Even though they are on half a boat, I find it facinating, the starts and the crew work at the roundings, as well as the tactical decisions.