When we did the race in 1979 the wind was E/SE at 15-18kts. In 1980 it was 20+ from the N.

Those races were in November.

Generally, the prevailing wind is SE at 12-18 that time of year. The fronts start coming in every several weeks as the winter progresses, and they are 15-20 from the North.

As the front passes, the wind clocks through the West and South, but it rarely takes more than a few hours to do that.

My guess would be a semi-tight spin reach going. Broader coming back. Keep in mind that the Gulfstream will be pushing you East at several knots most of the way.

Oh...did I mention there are BIG waves out there?