On Slingshot, our bridal broke once sailing in around 25kts of breeze. We rigged up a ring to the center of the pole using some spare velcro. It worked, but it was damn scary watching the old aluminum pole flex with the gusts. I bet the tip of the pole was traveling a good foot with the up and down hauls on tight. I guess carbon fiber is stiffer, so doesn't flex as much (they use it on bow sprits, after all).

I wonder how much power you give up to pole flex, that would otherwise be sent through the bridal directly to the boat...