Best moment of the 2003 Worlds

This was in the race with the current that ran so strong. After one of our usual dynamic starts, we ground our way up to weather, and eventually rounded in 85th place. I know this, as I only had to count 4 boats behind us. Gybe early, set the bag, and “soak ”downwind. I am sitting on the weather rail, Hans down to lee and looking under the boom. I see all the boats in front of us haring away, hitting lay-lines, gybing across, and disappearing out of view behind the jib.
   “Are we going to gybe soon?”, I ask Hans.
   “No”, he replies. Wait 30 seconds.
   “Don’t you think we should gybe now?”
   “No”. Wait 30 seconds
   “How about now?”
   “No” Beginning to detect a pattern to these replies, I decide to shut up. Next thing I hear him from behind.
   “Bag down!”
   “??????What the @#&%*@!, are you nuts? We haven’t gybed yet, we are miles away from the mark!!” (Okay, so I didn’t actually say anything, but I am allowed to think these things!)
   Being the well-behaved crew that I am, I stand up, I don’t question my helms instructions, dump the pole, gather the sheets and guy,and sit on the cap again.
   As my butt hits the cap, the most amazing sight. Our bow drifts pass the mark, missing it by inches, Hans hardens up, we power up, a perfect rounding.
   “Look behind us”, he says. I look. What a beautiful sight. 70 odd boats, all having misjudged the current, struggling to beat back to the mark.
   Hans, I take back everything I ever said about your judgement. You are a genius.

Peter Roos
505 RSA 8584