The more modern cat designs are definitely designed for windward leeward racing!

My comment regarding being faster without the spin was based on my stingray... an almost 50yo design with an almost 30yo rig design! It has a very large overlapping jib with a very low slung bridle!... In passage style races with a lot of reaching the design has performed very well in Australia.

The modern boats seem to have a very small jib! i assume this is to gain height upwind as it can be sheeted at a tighter angle? And downwind it doesn't matter so much as the kite is giving most of the drive? am I on the right track?