Bill: I still have not seen even one Tornado with a straight track here in europe (there might be some of course).

It sounds to me like there is a certain amount of 'unknowns' in the straight track system. How stiff does the lower batten need to be, and will the jib 'auto-trim' to the proper shape and position ( I assumed that the leech would tighten and the sail overtrim in the gusts)? Will the lower batten be flexible enough to give a good shape over the wind-range?

With the curved track, you know where the jib is, what shape it has, and what you need to do to correct it.

I would very much like to hear more about the system!