Hi Grob



Agree on the tether though if you check the Lexus Nexus Worrell team web site you will see there preference for one along with others . It is also in Worrell 1000 rules that safety lines must be aboard . --I don,t use them for reasons described ,-but always --always stay hooked up to the trap line , --particularly night legs .
Many good teams use a safety line which holds them in place in high winds and seas . Last year during the Hatteras leg in high winds steep seas boats flipping everywhere we stayed right with the lead boat because of having a similar safety line for and aft system to hold you in place on the wire.
Boats were snapping masts ,stuffing bows , really nasty leg with chutes up much of the time , but just surviving huge gusts as they hit . -On the wire from Hatteras almost to Orgegon inlet -50 miles .Rough tiring racing day .
Some add 2 small cleats on their harness with a for and aft line from the sterns to front crossbeam with slack and bungie cord inside the beam to retract extra line. The safety line may be attached to at needed locations being adjustable on the cleats attached to the harness.
The danger is if capsized and not released you will be suspended off the upper hull ,-or if turtled attached to the side . All sailors that use this system keep a good knife in a pocket sewn into their life jacket or similar easily reached location . All should carry one anyway .
Brian and Jamie ,--winners of the last two Worrell 1000s use this type of system and are some of the very best heavy weather sailors . --Recall them flipping in a night leg and Jamie being caught up on the high hull .---They still won the leg of the race . These guys are good!!

Working on removing the hook from the harness and just using a carabingers to hook into the trap and safety lines ,-one at each end .trap and replacement for trap dogbone.
Will test it in other distance racing first .

Hope this helps -
Happy to see a U K team back again in the 03 Worrell
Happy Holidays
Carl
Brighton MI -US