forget what the RC wants to do. Yes, they aren't doing anyone any favors necessarily running a race in extreme winds but it is still the skipper who needs to take responsibility. none of this should fall on the RC unless there is stupid over the top negligence (which, I guess, could mean setting the marks in 6 inches of water and causing a bunch of crashes.. I guess). If someone wants to play the - "but it will hurt my standing in the regatta if I don't go out" then whatever.
What were people's opinions several years ago (was it the 2007 tybee?) when the race was being started in significant surf? Did people hold it against the RC or what (I seriously don't remember, wasn't there)? I knwo a bunch of people didn't start which was their decision and apparently a good one.
And yes, insurance should be required to race. I was going to get umbrella insurance last year but found that some wouldn't cover me if I raced sailboats. kind of goofy...
As one of those boats in the '07 Tybee that opted not to sail on that day - I had no problem what so ever with the RC decision to start. People made it out that day, but my team mate and I made the painful decision that our experience was lacking for that one on that day. It was our decision to make - other people were up to the challenge, I would not have deprived them of the opportunity to excel. Ironic, given what happened on the next leg...
On the case at hand, even if the crew had medical insurance it would be likely that her provider would try to recover costs from the insurance on the boat. In the case of no boat insurance they may go after the owner.
By the way, there's something also called the Jones Act (if I remember right) that states that a captain is responsible for the acts of the crew while on shore. This was originally implemented for commercial ships to recoup damages from marauding crews on shore leave. However, I seem to recall that it has been applied in cases pertaining to racing crews in town during races. Yet another thing to consider...
