I find that discretion is often the sensible option... rather get through a bit slower and be heading to the winward mark with the boat in one piece... or maybe I'm getting soft as I get older

If only everyone sailed a Mozzie... it would be so much better
Its definitely faster to sail a little slower sometimes, a couple of "S" turns to get rid of the speed and set yourself up for a good mark exit and you will be past most of them 100 meters after the mark.
There is no point having a crash and being in the right, spending hours fixing the boat in the shed or 2 months sorting out the insurance/boatbuilder hassle seems pointless when with a bit of planning and the willingness to be 10 seconds slower around the course the whole hassle can be averted.
Darryn
Bullet
1782