Matt, speaking as a competitor only, how is it "more fair" if the weather mark is not SET at least a few minutes prior to the start? I spend part of my pre start time looking up the course to the weather mark to determine things like, which side of the course do I want, which end of the line do I want to get there, what phase will the wind-shfts be in when the start happens, etc. If the mark is not set, what's the point? And it really turns it into a crap shoot for the racers who are trying to figure that out and get a good start.
I know I would be a little bit more than pissed off if I picked one side based on where the mark boat was, got a good start, only to see the weather mark boat moving the other way, AFTER the start.
I think it makes it -less fair- if the mark is not set prior to the start.