i was looking at some photos from recent h14 competitions when i became aware that most boats had a line that went from the bridle/forestay shackle to the front crossbeam near the mast base. i can speculate that this could be used to adjust mast rake while sailing (tighten to reduce rake before tacking?) anybody know about this?

I think you've already got the answer. A number of H14 sailors are running heavily raked masts with real loose shrouds and then running a line from the bridle to the front beam that they can use to bring the mast forward downwind. This causes the mast to lean to leeward upwind, but as long as there is decent wind, it doesn't seem to matter that much.

Tim Dry
Minden, NV