Just my two cents.....

I was sailng in Charleston Harbor with our friend Super Jake. I don't know the true wind speed, but IT WAS BLOWIN'. Before racing began all the cats were out getting ready. Not too many spinnakers going up, certainly not ours. We had a 1/2 pitchpole (burying one bow) that we nearly saved, however we did not. Rich Harper put up his spin, and I remember him telling me that it gave him more control, and he felt more relaxed with it up.

These were f-18's, and I guess what I learned is that the spin can help in high winds, as the bows lift a little helping to prevent a violent pitchpole.

At the end of the day I had cracked ribs, Jake had nearly collected the insurance on a second boat and Rick stayed upright.

Not sure what that means but is still very clear to me.