Hi Darryl -

I agree to a point - Mitch was beating Darren boat for boat as the conditions moderated, and he and Pim really had momentum on their side. It appears from the reports and mark-roundings that Mitch was just sailing better. In the end, it was the use of the throwout that determined the outcome - instead of going faster than Mitch, Darren's goal was to give him a throwout bigger than his five. Throwouts were conceived to address unforseen breakdowns and the like. It appears Darren considered the tactic a method of last resort... or he would have done it first race of the day, instead of simply trying to be faster than Mitch.

Yes - within the rules. Yes - good tactics. Yes - Mitch was faster on the day.

Still - a seriously exciting end to what appears to have been a wildly successful event. Medwell, Laruffa, et. al. - well done!