The hole that the shrouds attach to on the top of the mast stretched out almost to failure (saw a crack at the bottom). Didn't lose the mast, but could have it the weather was bad.

I noticed it at disassembly after retiring from Macho Man. We retired because our upper rudder pintle broke outside the inlet for the Clearwater Sailing Center (in the middle of an Opti race course, too). Turned out this part wasn't welded on both sides, and was prone to failure (looked like a clean, sudden break)

So, I guess the rudder sacrificed itself to save the mast?