Actually, having broken the boards in that kind of wind was
probably a BLESSING, as you don't want the boards in that kind
of wind to absorb the shock value of each gust, and stay upright.
(remember wind pressure increases to the second power)

As to value of sailing to Windward in 35-40 winds, it is futile.
Once you bear off one or two degrees to much, it is instant capsize.
You can carefully feather your way, just to stay UPRIGHT with very
little forward progress. But if you bear off a fraction to much you are over.
Not to mention a slight wind shift will be instant capsize.

As for experience sailors? I doubt it, as VMG is very close to nil in
40 knots wind with no reef. If they were reefed I would say experienced.

Perhaps, one of the forum's nautical engineers would like to show mathematically
the wind drag on the boat/sail, and lack of sufficient righting moment (no reef)
to keep head way, results in a extremely poor VMG.

I'm with crowd that says these guys were clueless.