"Teacherjh" wrote in message
...

Sand and Ice yachts can readily
demonstrate a course speed downwind faster that the wind.


Straight downwind? So they would be overtaking the wind? Howdeydodat?

I suspect he's thinking about the case of holding a course a few
degrees off a direct reach. Laying down with the wind directly over the
stern, well even catching a puff from behind now and then would immediately
luff. Even if you could overcome the miniscule drag of an ice runner, the
sail becomes a HUGE air brake. Been there, done that, threw the Tee-Shirt
away.