If you need to get downwind and have a conventional non-planing hull, flying a jib, genoa or asymmetrical sail with a whisker pole is the fastest, smoothest and easiest way to get there.
Sailing downwind is a great way to get to your destination whether racing or cruising. Using a whisker pole to hold your jib or genoa and go wing on wing is the best use of the combination of both the main and foresail.
Whisker poles do need a topping lift to support their weight, especially in light air. Gravity will pull them down and aft on the jib sheet if not supported.