[quote=P.M.]Backwinding the jib is used in competition in many scenarios. It is also a technique you should make yourself familiar with as it can be useful in many situations. The most common usefullness of backwinding is to expedite the process of powering up on the new tack, to simply assist in taking the boat through the eye of the wind. To state that it stops the boat is a stretch, and misses the point. It's not like you are leaving it there on the new tack and stopping the boat, but finesse it with timing to execute speed. As Andrew stated, it's timing, a brief backwind only, and the technique becomes increasingly useful as velocity increases. As the wind velocities increase, the technique of backwinding will actually make the tack faster. This becomes even more important when combining light weight with high aspect sails.
Backwinding is used by the best of teams, and for many reasons. On the race course it can be very useful, and is an important part of boat control and management.[/quote]
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