Winds were gusting hard up to 25 mph. He had crew but he had about 10 minutes of on the water time on the new boat when he hit the upwind mark and popped the chute and was gone, moving fast. More guts than I had in those conditions.
In time you will find that it is better to pop that chute then sail downwind without it. Seriously !
Boat is more calm that way and drives better through the chop and waves.
Wouter
