Scott,

For racing, it's been found the Ensign can carry its #1 up to around a steady 18 knots of breeze and into higher breezes on gust cell days (those days when higher breeze comes in patches and then diminishes, as in just after frontal passage). Use the wind speed in the "lulls" to determine which sail to use, because you can depower by easing the jib sheet in the gusts and you might need the power in the lulls. Carry the #1 using the 'lull' wind speed up to around 18 knots or so, and if you have a heavy team weight of 800 pounds or more who are all capable of sitting on the rail, the #1 can be depowered and carried into the low 20's.

At 22 knots, we're definitely in the range of the #2, or the blade, depending on sea conditions... #2 in lumpy, pitching seas and the blade if in flat water. The lead angle for the blade was recently moved further outboard (12° vs 9°, 17.5" from centerline vs 14") which allows the blade to be trimmed better and more competitively with the #2 in those conditions.

Beyond a steady 25 knots, most racing is cancelled.