When you get a gust of wind, you ease the traveler to leeward to reduce your angle of heel, while keeping the sail shape and driving you forward. In light air, raising the traveler above the centerline allows a close sheeting angle without placing excessive strain on the leech. The simplest track system consists of a piece of track with movable stops, and a low-cost slide with no bearings. However, this type of system tends to bind up under load and can become ineffective in heavy air, when you need the control most. More sophisticated units will operate at greater loads, but even basic systems will out-perform simple sliding cars that lack bearings.
Ball bearings are unmatched in their ability to reduce friction under load.
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