Rolf,

Darren Bundock once told me that the luff length on the Gransegal kite was very important & any deviation to that length (while sailing) either thru pole lifting slightly & mast flexing above the hounds was detremental to speed. So I believe the striker on the picture you posted would be a mere additional support to help stop the pole springing under load.

FYI - When we sailed Sail melbourne regatta (Tornado's) against Darren a few years back, he gave us some halyard measurements to use on our Mk4 GS kite & the difference was amazing. That is when he also gave some advice about how important it was to keep the setting from being affected by rig & pole movements.

I was reframing from posting this info, but since Wouter & Steve are having a slinging match, thought I might try and help change the tone of the thread <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />