We're in our second season PHRF racing our '85 Hunter 25.5, and while all over the the place last year, this year we've managed a 2nd, two 3rd's, and last Sunday we got a first, and first over the line as well. Only catch is that we got hit by another boat in the race. It was a windward/leeward twice around. After rounding the weather mark for the first time we settled in on a starboard broad reach. Another boat close-hauled on port was coming up to round. At first sighting they were about 15 boatlengths away, and about 5 boatlengths down from us laterally. I was at the mast deciding whether to pole out the jib or go as we were in the shifty conditions. I peek under the jib to check the other boat and suddenly see him scallop up, then level off. A moment later he scallops up and levels off again. We're now 5 lengths away, parallel, reciprocal, but now he's only 1 or 2 lateral lengths down from us. I yell "Starboard," and he keeps coming just as he is. It's a bit close for comfort, but a pass at 1 or 2 lengths apart is common in a race. Just as our bows cross I watch in horror as the boat turns right toward us, his bow staring me right in the eye amidships. I know we're not getting out of this. I scream "Starboard, starboard, what are you doing!!!" My helmsperson turns up, and at the last second this moron falls off a bit, but it's too late. His forestay hits our boom, I reel back fearing the whole rig might come down. Instead the boom is deflected, as his bow takes on a sweeping motion across our port side down to the stern, bending stanchions, snapping the lifeline, and lastly ripping our stern rail from it's port mountings. The horrible sounds finally stop as his bow bobs away. I look to see my helmsperson lying on the cockpit floor hyperventilating, my other crew crouching at the starboard lifeline, about as far as he could retreat. He later said he was ready to jump. We collected ourselves and assessed the damage. No leaks, the hull didn't appear to be hit, miracle of miracles, and we were OK. My crew looks at me and says, "Well, we're still in second. Are we in this?" "Let's get 'em," I said, "Trim the sails!" I tied off the sternrail which was hanging off the back of the boat, raised a protest flag, and three legs later, we crossed the finish line winners. I meet the guy at his YC after the race. His statement to me is, "Just so you don't think I'm a complete idiot, I got rounded up by that big gust. Did you feel that?" "No" I said, "can't say that I did." A protest hearing is pending. The guy's insurance agent calls me to get the facts, then tells me they are going to wait for the hearing results, because his insured is "not sure what side of the boat my sails were on, and if I was on port jibe it would be a winward/leeward situation, giving him right of way." Out and out pigeon sh~t. I know all in all, we were very lucky. So, any advice, comments? I could use any tips on stanchion straightening/replacement, taking the two new curves out of the top of our toerail, and sternrail replacement for my baby. Thanks all, Brad