There is definitely a time and place for a final reach to a finish. This is something that helps the RC, which in turn can help everyone. Faster, more accurate sorting of finishes (and lower probability of errors and redress hearings) is in everyone's best interest.
Mike,
Well put. Normally, I dislike rules/courses made for the benefit of RC, but this can be an exception. A few years back, I was a judge at an event that was a qualifier for the Sunfish Worlds. They had a downwind finish and even with mark rounding data, the packs were too big for the finish boat to figure out all the sail numbers. It was a mess. RC wound up posting DNF scores for the boats they couldn't place and we had to ask the sailors where they finished.
Getting good finish results is one of the most important jobs of RC. A course that helps is a good thing.
Regards,
Eric
