Well, they made a change to the boat just before the semi finals (rudder?) and they went from monster downwind speed to equal with the fleet. From what they said today, that was to facilitate more steerage during the prestart... but if you're going to blow the prestart (and you had been putting a beating on down wind) wouldn't you want to stay with your strength?

I think the boats this year have been the most even in terms of speed compared to previous years. Tactics seemed to have been a much bigger part. Todays start was better (a bit late/slow), however they wanted the right and got it. Sadly, I think this change to the afterguard came too late. Not to mention today was the first day all week that the left paid. They rolled the dice, played the odds... and lost.