Wait wait wait...hold on a minute. There are a lot of variables and a lot of unknowns. You don't go into every crossing with 100% certainty that you will make it but you have to weigh consequences of making it or not - is it windy? Is there a chance I could not only foul the guy but cause damage? Am I 90% that I'll make it or am I 30% sure I'll make it? If it weren't for these kinds of decisions, racing wouldn't be exciting.

In the situation I site, we probably would have crossed the guy clean but there was some doubt if we would make it clean - it's not like I would aim at his mast and not deviate course.

Now, that said, it is wrong to approach this situation with certainty that you cannot clear the cross no matter what the variables are. It is, however, OK to approach the situations and weigh the risk/reward and decide to try for the cross even if you are only 70% sure you'll make it.