You would think so and you are correct on a modern boat with a wide, flat stern. In this case however we're trying to lift the stern up out of the water to prevent the vacuum holding the boat back. This boat was developed in the 40ties and has been raced since then. Over time people have come up with ideas to make it go faster and this is one them. If you leave your crew in the cockpit on the downwind you can be sure that the other boats will have left you in the dirt once you round the bottom gate.
Nice video. I think when running down wind the crew weight should be in the stern.
You would think so and you are correct on a modern boat with a wide, flat stern.
In this case however we're trying to lift the stern up out of the water to prevent the vacuum holding the boat back.
This boat was developed in the 40ties and has been raced since then. Over time people have come up with ideas to make it go faster and this is one them.
If you leave your crew in the cockpit on the downwind you can be sure that the other boats will have left you in the dirt once you round the bottom gate.