-Mr. Clean
02/28/2006

OK, facing inboard and leaning back against the hiking line is absolutely the easiest way of being washed overboard that I can think of. Trust me, I've researched this issue at length with extensive on water testing in both inland and ocean conditions. I've also thoroughly tested falling overboard from an inboard facing position vs. an outboard facing position and the results are clear: If you DO go over the side for whatever reason, it is FAR easier to stay with the boat if your "dismount" began from an outboard-facing position. At least if you're facing the water, you can see the wave that is about to crush you. Also, from the outboard-facing there are things to grab that are in the direction of your natural arm position and function. For instance, as you slide back and under the lifeline, you can grab it as it sweeps through your face. Your crewmates are also in a better position to grab your PFD as you groove on by if they are still braced against the lifeline and are facing you. If they were facing inboard you'd already be behind their back. If you are facing inboard, your only real option is to reach your arms back behind you to stop your crash, unless you are able to reach back into your Darwinian past and can use your opposable toes to grab on and stop your fall. While I'm flexible, I do not have opposable toes.

My detailed testing indicates that hiking while facing inboard makes the hiker much more likely to inhale crashing waves. Leaning back against a lifeline opens up your airways substantially. Try it yourselves if you don't believe me. Hiking inboard, you can't see when the wave is going to dunk the crew and when it does hit it's guaranteed that a good quantity of water is going to make it's way into your mouth like a money shot. Facing outboard your body is hunched over and you can duck your head down and close everything up nice and tight.

The last detrimental effect hiking inboard has is the not uncommon situation when crew falls to leeward into the cockpit or at worst, over the leeward deck and into the drink (yup, I've done that too). Again, there's nothing for the rest of the crew to grab onto to stop their fall. There's no way to grab a stanchion when it is behind your back and the boom is out of reach for anyone but the longest-armed gorillas. That's the same boom that may have just rendered the other crew unconscious seconds before she hit the water after being knocked off the high side, unable to stop her fall because she was facing inboard.

As I think about it, the multiple-crew aerials that would likely ensue from this hiking style would be a hoot to watch. Perhaps the on-the-water judges should be allowed to award bonus points to crews that display innovative acrobatic arts. Combined with the level of difficulty of the aerial maneuver, these points should help some of the Corinthian boats out in the standings. This could require the addition of more judge boats, unless some way of self-reporting/documenting could be established.

If the inboard-hiking rule were to be imposed, I would recommend the following additional amendments to the Class Rules.

C.7.5 Sport-specific health insurance shall be carried by all crew sailing in a Sanctioned Event.

B.11 Event Safety

11.1 At all Sanctioned Events, the Class shall provide a surgeon with a certified specialty in rotator cuff and shoulder injuries. The surgeon shall be available during and after all races and shall treat all crew injuries after triage.

03/01/06