Just a small comment on the M20/Texel debate. Wasn't there a period with (almost) no wind for the leaders this year? If so, it would give the slower boats a good opportunity to catch up with the leaders.

Uni rig faster upwind/downwind than a sloop.. I think this leads us back to a discussion on ratios and conditions. The uni rig is more efficient (higher aspect ratio, less sailarea down low where the wind is "dirty" etc.) But even in theory it is not faster in all conditions. In real life, classes with limited sailarea like the A and C class have evolved into uni-rigs, so there is a strong argument that uni-rigs probably are faster on a windward/leeward course (C-class had their own courses earlier, with lots of reaches and strange courses sailed to really test the designs on all points. Wings are very competitive on reaches). One of the really good arguments for uni-rigs are the lower structural loads on the platform, so they can be buildt lighter. With the minimum weight we have in the F-16 class, there is no need to optimize for a uni-rig.