I saw it happen at Virgina Beach F18 Nationals a couple years ago. A couple of youth sailors were just sitting around between races. Not much wind. Dare I say that it was at least 5 knots. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> A wave came out of nowhere while they were just laying in the middle of the tramp and put the bow down and snapped the pole in an instant. The wave was pretty minor too. I think the flat water exasperated the situation because it just flung the boat down and rocked the end pole snuffer into the water. Very sad really.

Mike Hill