Ummm, I'd say it's good that you didn't start this race here, with these guys...
Sorry to be snarky, but obstructions, even at starts, are routinely encountered situations, paricularly in sheltered waters.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean. All the ACWS races I watched had a reaching start followed by a short sprint to the first rounding mark. I don't recall ever seeing an obstruction in between the two as part of the course. Which race are you referring to?
If you can tell me where race committee routinely sets a starting line so close to an obstruction that boats must immediately tack to safely avoid it, then yes - I will add it to my list of places not to race.
