That blk inflatable could have wiped people out. stupid..@#$..Cripes imagine trying to gybe around that crowd! Wonder how many people got run over..Amazing sight..
It is called a gate start. The rabbit is usually a sailing craft that crosses the fleet on port tack, with the "gate boat" (power boat) following, that the fleet has to pass behind. It is an effective way to start large fleets without the drama of early starters.
A moving start boat usually with a buoy tired off the end and dragged behind it goes from the leeward end of the starting line to the windward end and all craft are supposed to go behind it (the buoy) without hitting it and preferably before it gets to the stationary start boat at the windward end, otherwise you have basically missed the start.
Did a few national title events in the '80s while sailing Catamarans. Always a fair way to start a large fleet. Think starting in the middle of the line or early on minimised any sailing errors of judgement and possible wind shifts. Starting later near the windward end was always risky.
Was there some chaos at the gybe mark or what? A sail repairers dream event.
