Congratulations to all.
But one question remains:
Is that what makes a great boat is a great helmsman?
Personally, I think not, because a great helmsman without a good boat gets nothing. However, now, in IOM, what I see are great boats, in the same level and what makes the difference is the helmsman.
Results here:
http://www.scor.hr/regate/2012/IOM%20European%20Championship.htm
Undoubtedly, you’re right. But Kantum and Fraktal appear with a good chance. How are new boats with few units sold, we do not know if the skippers with less skill will improve their performance. Anyway it seems that they are great boats.
Bantock is all time world class skipper and has not yet been close to top britpop with his fraktel….
Britpop wins 9 from 13 euro races with many skippers not only gibson. Maybe a bit better?
The post is not about to apologize to anyone or any boat. Raise the issue only between good boats and good skippers. A very difficult question to come to a universal conclusion.
Arguably the Britpop boat is exceptional and Brad Gibson too.
However the presence of Zvonko Jelačić with Kantun, second in the championship ahead of Graham Elliot, but with Pikanto could not cope with Peter Stolery, Brad Gibson and Graham Elliot in the last World Cup, may indicate new events, despite the advantage knowledge of the lap of the race.
Fraktal for being who he is, by itself already comes with pedigree.
The post was just a reflection on an old subject.
It would be interesting to other people commenting on the subject.
The key is whether a mid fleet or lower skipper improves markedly with a newer design. With britpop many have done so showing the importance of design