by Fred Maurer » Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:44 pm
Hello Scott,
Running the shrouds to the mast head would inhibit the lee mast bend as you suggest. However one school of thought holds that as the pressure increases at the top of the rig the lee bending of the mast is beneficial as it allows the main to twist off depowering the top of the rig. As far as the jumpers are concerned, their main job is to control the fore and aft mast bend in the top third of the mast thus controlling the top third of the main sail camber. Others here may very well be able to add more information and another point of view.
Take care,
Fred