Michael
Its a bit dificult to call it when to go wild, or when to single trapeze downwind, we never double trapeze downwind, unless we overstood the mark.
It is as much a function of the wave state as the wind strength.
If you are sailing in waves then often the ability to overtake the waves is a big factor. If the waves are running dead downwind its easy, because the rate you overtake the waves is how quick you are going downwind regardless of the height you have to go.
If the waves are running off dead downwind then you may find that on one tack you go wild or trapeze so that you can climb the waves and on the other tack you run flat so that you can catch the waves and drive accross them making ground to leeward.
In flatter water then a reasonable rule of thumb is that if you are twin wiring upwind then you can single wire downwind, however you must practise so that you can make the right calls, when you are racing try running flat, going wild and single trapezing on the same leg of the course, you should quickly realise which is faster, and if you do this on each tack of each first downwind leg of any race you should quite soon be able to make the call accurately. You will trash a few races in learning this but, when you can get this right you will be able to make very big gains.
Sorry there's no hard and fast rule, but if it was easy then everyone would always win!!
regards
John Pierce
