The subject of back winding the jib came up as an off shoot of the getting out of irons thread over on a Catalina list I belong to and I thought it might be of interest to some mates here. This is for newbies that might be listening. Using the back winded jib to get through the tack, as Ron has suggested, is a maneuver I recommend to everyone. I see a lot of guys who release the jib way to early and the sail and sheet is flopping all over the place and the person on the lazy sheet (which is soon to be the loaded sheet) is trying to gather in a mile of jib sheet. If the trimmer waits until the jib back winds before he cuts the line, the other trimmer can be taking up the slack so that when the sheet is released he's got most of it already. Also, as soon as the sheet is cut , that trimmer now becomes the tailer. When he is finished tailing, his next function is to set up his winch with a couple of wraps and then he is ready to start the next tack sequence. When done right it is a pleasure to watch. Just by watching how a crew handles a tack you can tell their level of experience. One other advantage to holding the sheet until it back winds is that the trimmer can "read" the jib for a new fairlead setting. In other words, if he sees that the top of the sail breaks first, he tells the new trimmer to move the fairlead a bit forward. If the bottom breaks first, he tells him to move it a bit aft. You might ask how does the new trimmer have enough time to do this and still trim? You'd be surprised how much time there is and practice makes it easier. The Garhauer adjustable fairlead system makes this function a snap. I'll bet 50% of the middle to back of the pack racers don't even bother re-setting their fairleads, especially if they have the pin type. "Read" your jib while tacking and I guarantee you'll move up a couple of positions. Just try it next time and let us know how you made out. Another thing I see a lot is the trimmer madly sheets in after the release. He then sits there and looks at the jib and wonders why the sail has not powered up. There is really no need for the big trim in rush. It is better to take a little time and let the jib power up - think of the sheet as your accelerator and slowly but steadily apply power. The goal I work for is the tack, if performed correctly and with winds above 5 knots, should take less than 30 seconds and you should not lose more than 1 knot of speed.