Also, did you notice how the signal and pin boats were oriented? Instead of pointing into the wind (at 125°), the current was making them point at 215°. That would make port the longest tack to the mark, thus the one you want to sail first. Another reason 9 of 10 boats started on port.

When I saw all the boats lining up for a port start, I was going, "Postpone! C'mon, PU, postpone!". But he let them go.

I guess all you could really do is make the committee boat favored, but then you'd have a huge pileup at that end and the first ones to tack to the right would win.