of course all this extra sanding fairing polishing waxing is all undone with one stuffed tack, or a bad start. so until you can get all the way round the course without blowing a single tack or a mark rounding. whats more beneficial?? 100 hours in the "man-cave" or 100 hours extra time on the water practising? and please? polishing the mast?? if you polish your mast are you also removing all fittings from the deck or placing wind deflectors in front of every fitting, cos i think you will find thewy will cause a lot more wind disturbance than a mast that isnt mirror polished. next you will see guys racing their cats in cycling outfits with pointy back helmets!!! hahahaha