I only have qualitative evidence, but it was enough to convince me to pay the money (and I'm a student so it takes a lot!). Looking at the results from F18 NAs last year we were the first Infusion that didn't have upgraded boards... and we were 13th. I don't know which C2s in front of us had the long boards, but I'm pretty sure most, if not all did. Now was the lack of longs boards our only issue- absolutely not! But we decided if we are going to make the commitment to showing up in Long Beach for the Worlds, we don't want any excuse aside from our sailing.

The Thai regatta also gave me the same impression, all the top boats had long boards, and in the moderate conditions there I really felt it helped.