In a perfect world, the comments above are all valid. However the world isn't perfect and there are other boats to deal with.

In general, in class racing you want to be just lower and just faster than your competitors. If you are ahead, make them follow you. In handicap, fast hulls go high and slower hulls go low. AND by high and low, I am talking +/-10 deg. Also unless you know what you are doing, it is not a great idea to really separate from the fleet (i.e. sail off into never never land)

Specifically, you want to go where the wind is favorable and you have clear air. For example if the wind is great going high but you hit a hole 100 meters from the mark and drift helplessly while 3 boats pass you. Don't do that again.

What I am trying to say is never forget you are racing other boats. The object is to pass them or stay in front of them. There is an optimum line for your boat downwind and you will find it. Most of the time, the good skippers will be very close to the same angle. However, there are times when wind, waves, land, other boats or ability to dominate at the next mark requires that you go high or low.

When you have just worked your way through a very tough leg and look for the lead boat and find them rounding on your stern, it's a good feeling.