This is a photo an alternative way to gain downwind VMG performance!!
Don't try this at home.

Going down the runway for takeoff? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Let me guess, broken tack line cleat?

Mark,

Are you going to show the next couple of images <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Very scary. Your worst nightmare.
So, I'd be interested in knowing what went wrong and how the spi was brought under control, if at all.

It came under control quite quickly. It did get wet before it was under control mind.....

Did someone hit the piss?

A few seconds later

A few more seconds later.
Some how, whilst leading the first race on the final run I managed to release the Spi tack line cleat on what could have been the last gybe. If you look carefully at the photo you will notice two small lines leading from the mast foot to the front of the toe straps. These WERE the trigger lines for the spinnlock/tack line cleat. I have since taken them off the tramp to prevent a recurrence.
What isn't shown in this photo is Scooby's huge smile when he sailed past going from 2nd to 1st place, but it was something like this <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You sure it wasnt more like this?
In the picture it looks like you have a lot of downhaul?
(Or maybe this is due to the angle of the camera).

haha, doh!

More like.......

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As it happend a little voice in the back of mind said.... that's kinda handy.....]

Looking at the first pic, I'd say that as well as the tack line getting away, the sheet is gorn also, as has the retrieval line!?

2d.