That is a pretty funny picture -- reefed main, no jib, and 4k!! I know, I know -- it blew itself out!!

Thanks, Pat, for confirming the technique. I picked up one more idea from your post -- don't head DDW -- cheat up when you can so you have somewhere to go!

I think in DE my white knucles were pulling on that tiller to get low, low, low! That meant my only 'escape hatch' was dumping the sheet. Adding steering to that equation gives me one more option.

I remember seeing and studying that photo of Wally after the Madcatter. (See, I do spy on you guys!!) I thought "Gee, he sure does have that boom out pretty far." But then, the pic may have been snapped right after he dumped a bunch of sheet. I know in DE I was sheeting that main on every chance I got so I would have something to release (and to reduce net sail area perpendicular to the wind).

You're right -- practice, practice, practice. Puget Sound doesn't get a whole lot of that. But we do have Gorge 3 hours away! I like the PUR idea. Laura Sullivan & I were talking about taking a trip down there and trying to hook up with Enrique. He probably doesn't have the time with the Tornado Olympic campaign, but we thoguht it would be worth a try (esp. since we have a few connections!).