We have an "A" sail that we bought this year. We had the sail maker out with us two weeks ago to do some testing on a new number 1 and to play with the "A" (ours is a "code 3"). Their instructions were to fly it from the pole with the pole set down to the pulpit. As the wind moves aft, raise the pole slightly. Although we bought it for heavy air reaching, at 60 degrees apparent in 5 - 10 knots of breeze it was about 1/2 knot faster than the number 1. We have not used it enough to know its practical limits but it is proving faster than the number 1 in 60 -90 degree apparent wind. We aren't sure where the cross over is with the all purpose kite becuase we haven't played with it enough. We do know though that it is particularly faster in heavy air 70-90 degree apparent wind where we struggle with the all purpose kite.
Our conclusion is that it is a must sail for serious PHRF buoy racing.
