those who say you don't miss a spi on the A for open class sailing or long distance races just never tried it. you are so much faster. ... once when beating the new crowned F20 European champions by half a lap in a three lap race in 10-15 knots of wind. Without spi they would eat you before the first downwind mark.
I can whole underscore this statement by Dirk. While I have never sailed an A-cat with a spinnaker before I can testify that an A without a spinnaker will be caught before he reaches the downwind mark. In most irrespectibally how far the A was in front at the A-mark.
Wouter
