This is an interesting thread. The question has been raised before with a similar answer. Bringing the track down to the deck is illegal. I personally like having the pole on the mast. It really doesnt stick out that far since its only J+1. It doesnt even make it past the bow pulpit. Plus, there appears to be photo evidence that this was allowed in a previous J30 NA championship regatta. See the pictures of Cat Came Back.
http://paw.com/sail/j30/97NAs/cat_mk.jpg http://paw.com/sail/j30/97NAs/spins.jpg The first one shows a shirtless young foredecker sliding the pole up from the deck for a rounding. The second shows the pole clearly attached to the mast and on the deck. It looks like its sticking out pretty far but you'll notice that it is out to the side exaggerating the distance. This position would protect the forestay, addressing one of Bob's concerns.
Did Cat Came Back get away with something or are we looking at a presidence?
