This isn't beach cat racing, but we have all been there at one time or another. But few of us have had the opportunity to do it in front of a professional photographer! Check out the slide show from Sean Trew of Cat Sass doing the mambo at Swiftsure this past weekend. Go to
http://www.pacificfog.net/Temp/CatSass.swf

Look ma! No hands!

Bet that wasn't any good for the outboard!

I loved the guy in the mainsail! Best seat in the house, but who was supposed to be working the spin sheet and never let it go??? Duh....

Does anyone know what kind of boat that is?

Viva 27 - supposedly a scaled up Nacra design(?)

"What do we do now skipper?"
"Idunno", just sit still, hang on and hope it all sorts itself out". <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

There is a real problem though with the new high aspect square top mains. Being very full high up they tend to twist off and power up as you bear away resulting in a pitch-pole. Easing the mainsheet tends to make it worse. Only a big dump seems to be the answer or even maybe sheeting on harder, which isn't really an option on the bigger boats. Dumping the main is dangerous especially if the kite is still full. With no backstay/s, the mast is gorne.

Leaving the spi sheeted on ain't gunna help the pitch-pole much either. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yup, i agree its the top of the main. Nice that they had a pro with a high speed camera to capture every milisecond of their stupidity.

It look like they had the travelor out, main out and were going dead down wind. Its the top of the main that pushed them over. Once the bows go down, the kite makes it worse.

When its puffy, I sheet the main in and travelor close to centered and blow the kite if the bows stick in. As long as the crew doesnt go for a ride, it usually comes back.

I got the solution to their problem right here:
Click Me

They should have blown the halyard for the spin, as well as the sheets. Those shots were great though.