When I sailed the 5.5Uni at the Nacra Nationals I discovered something pretty interesting. I had rounded the weather mark just behind the defending National Champ and started to heat it up when the mainsheet shackle exploded.
I always carry a few extras on the boat, so headed straight downwind and went to the rear of the boat to replace the shackle.
It wouldn't fit, so went back forward and got another.., it didn't fit either.
I was starting to panic as the leeward mark was coming up fast.
Finally, I found a stamped shackle, replaced it just before the leeward mark, and rounded a few inches behind the champ.

Hmmmmm! I said.
After that day, I put telltales at different spots than the typical 9 inches back from the luff. I put telltales just aft of the mast, almost touching the bolt rope.
My downwind speed in lighter winds was just as fast as it was while keeping the 9" back telltales flowing and I sailed at least 10 degrees deeper.
After that I pretty much owned the downwind legs.

Wow, I might try that on the Wave. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Rick