Downhaul tension is of critical importance to sail trim... all rigs respond favourably to increased downhaul tension for high-wind sailing. For strong winds it pays to be radical. More downhaul tension equals easier handling and greater speed in strong winds.
When overpowered, tension the downhaul! High tension makes the sail's leech (rear edge) open and free; power is released from the top of the sail. This makes the rig easier to handle and increases top-end speed.
Greater downhaul tension will directly flatten the sail body, making the rig's passage through the wind slim and slippery. Be aggressive with downhaul tension as the wind rises... sails from The Loft are designed and built to respond positively to high downhaul tension!
