The art of Coattail riding

Yes another Survivor post, that quick after the other one. But the previous thread got me thinking of this one. Many people don't like coattail riders, in the game and call them undeserving winners. I disagree.

While they do not make for great TV, it does however take a lot of skill, to do it right. Yes some just stumble onto the right one, others do it with specific idea's in mind.

Now the best example of this is Natalie from Somoa, clear as day she explains her strategy for the rest of the game. She is going to align with this guy who is playing this game controlling but is also a prick to everyone else, she says she knows if she goes to the end with him she will beat him. The first thing she does is recognize someone she can beat in the jury. Good jury management and we have not even gotten to the jury yet. But she is also a great player and when the tribes merge, it is her that saves the back of her "mark" getting the entire tribe to vote off one of their own instead of the obvious. Could she have won without him? Who knows, but I would think she would still be up there.

Now people have also been calling Sandra the two time winner a coattail rider, and this is just wrong. She is incredibly smart and starts the game with a simple strategy, as long as it is not me. Even when she is aligned with people she does not need anyone. She knows how to talk to people with an ease and make her point without seeming pushy. She puts herself into position to win. That is all that matters.