The rig of the 42 with its smaller main and the self tacking jib meant that it was maxed out at about 8 knots, while the 450s managed about 9-10 quite easily, while beam reaching. We had a few races, and the 450s were happily in front - but much of the traveling was in small bursts of cruising so we didn't end up too far apart... When it came to Painkiller consumption in the evenings the skipper of the 42 more than held his own!