Another point about the PN being based on ABC courses is the (relative) advantage spi boats have over sloop (and especially unirig) boats in a leeward (particularly straight leeward) leg. Since we all (at least seem to) agree that reaching speeds are relatively close regardless of boat, by eliminating this leg and the time that would be spent on it and incorporating only W-L courses, boats with spis will gain an advantage over those without if raced against each other on PN's. As for opportunites for boat contact, IMO there are far more in a straight W-L course since you have boats coming upwind from both sides AND downwind from both sides crossing in the middle. At least on an ABC course the downwind boats tend to be to one side of the course. As to tactics- a spi equipped boat is much better off by carrying high above the B mark, even "leading" some poor non-spi boat up high to "block" it since when they finally turn down the spi boat will do much better getting the distance back- So simply stay high around A if coming in behind a bunch of "slower", non-spi boats and pass them fairly high to windward setting your spi "early" even and blast down to C.



Kirt