Fiddling while Athens blows (was Athens wind tunnel doubling as a course)

Anyone who has any experience of sailing, gardening, being outdoors or
weather can surely understand that it is impossible to shelter a 2km lake
from the effects of the wind.  Many suggested interventions would not only
not help, but would actually make matters worse by increasing turbulence.

Carl wrote:
>I have received copy of a document which is in circulation among one
group of national team coaches which shows zero recognition of the scale
of the swamping problem which scuppered those crews at Schinias.  For
example, it suggest the need for the following:
1. battery-operated pumps
2. enabling water to flow along the length of the boat (it says "Baffles
must allow _all_ water to pass"
3. having easily sponged areas in boats<

This list is missing something - number 4 should read thus "give all team
members a prayer mat".  If nos 1 to 3 is all the "powers that be" can come
up with, then the GB team members need to start praying to the "all mighty
powerful" for calm weather for the rowing events (and we hope their prayers
are answered).

As the Sport's administrators fiddle about trying to avoid all references to
buoyancy, the legal wheels are slowly but surely turning.  Sad that it has
come to this, but common sense must prevail.

Jane and Stephen.