Two women stride together across the deck of a small boat that is blazing through ocean waters. The women leap over a GoPro mounted on the deck and then clip into trapeze harnesses suspended above the water in perfect sync. They are being chased by the waves and other competitors. They want to harness wind to move fast but also have to keep their boat in the water so they don't get tossed overboard. They stare around, planning their next move before finally speeding off.AdvertisementAmerican sailors have few opportunities to see the sport from their home. This is why I look forward to the Summer Olympics. Even though I have been a sailor my whole life, it can be boring to watch boats move around a racecourse. The commentators may have little to no interest in singlehanded events, other than the reason that the French laser sailor keeps his mainsheet in his mouth. It is a common mistake that children make when learning to sail. It might sound like windsurfing is exciting, it has surfing in its name. But watch it closely and you'll be disappointed. The course markers can be bumped into by competitors without being penalized, and the pumping motion that propels the boats forward is quite awkward. It is common for all sailing events to be slow. If there isn't much wind or the courses are long or there isn't much interaction between competitors, it can be mind-numbingly slow. Watching the boats sit still in the water with no one on them for hours can be quite depressing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is an antidote: The women's 49er FX competition. This event sees two-person teams perform near-acrobatic feats using literal trapezes to speed around a racecourse. It is almost like wind-powered NASCAR. They look more like paper airplanes 16 feet in length with sails, which cut through the water and are built for speed. They are not stable even when they sit still. Their sole purpose is to move fast. They are 4.99m long and this is the second time that we have seen them sailed at the Olympics. Although men have been racing 49ers at the Olympics since 2000 (and women are now able to sail an FX design that is more suited for their bodies), This is the best and you should watch it even if your never sailed before.AdvertisementIt is an amazing experience to watch each boat accelerate around the first mark with their balloon-like spinnaker sailings, which are emblazoned in large prints of each team's flag.49er FXas is a sailing event that includes all of the Olympic and beyond events. The objective is to circle around an inflatable buoy-marked course, just like NASCAR. There are many tricky tactics because boats cannot stop, start or maneuver like cars. The competitors must jockey for the best spot at the start line, and then sit under it for almost four minutes without crossing or hitting other boats. They then have to power up, and speed away at the end of the countdown. The racecourse tests competitors' tactical and physical skills at various points of sail. The best strategies depend on which direction the boats are heading relative to the direction the wind is blowing from. Over the course of a single day, each boat will reach the finish line multiple times. Each boat will receive points. 1 point for first and 2 points for second. The team with the lowest total points will win the gold after several days of heats.AdvertisementThe speed at which the action unfolds is what sets the 49er events apart among the other fleets. It is a small thrill to watch each boat accelerate around this first mark with their balloon-shaped spinnaker sails emblazoned in a large print of each team's flag. This can be seen at the 65-minute mark on NBCs streaming.These boats can tip over in less coordinated moments or even contact each other in some cases (see 83:22 above).Under very finicky conditions, the 49er FX class began on Tuesday. Gusty winds allowed for more error but, fortunately, for viewers, it made watching sailing easier and, trust me, even more fun. The Brazilian team, which won the gold medal in Rio, had led at one point. However, they were held up by an error mechanical that caused them to lose almost all of their competitors. Another time, the U.S. team led but then lost a shift in wind direction that caused them to plunge into the water. Great Britain ended up at the top of the field.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnother thing that is exciting about this division is? The U.S. team, despite its dive into the ocean, is still very strong. (The women are, anyway. The American men's 49er team didn't qualify for Tokyo. Maggie Shea, a longtime friend and Stephanie Roble, are up for a medal. After two days of racing, Great Britain remains the team to beat. This is becoming a common trend in sailing this year. Roble and Shea will have their next chance to improve their standings when the competition resumes Friday. The fleet will then sail again on Saturday, before heading for the medal round Monday. The stakes are high in that final round. The point totals will increase by two, potentially shaking up all of the competition. This is the place to be if you're curious about sailing at the Olympics but are worried about boring yourself.
