I always use mine when racing but feel a little uncomfortable with it, what about taking it off the Edge chicken loop is pretty safe also

This had been discussed before, but the search function won't let me search for "leash" in "Kiteracer" because it is too common of a term.

Most people were in favor of wearing a leash in races. You don't want an accidental QR release or unhooking at the start line to cause your kite to blow down the start line, with bar and lines in tow, tangling every kite along the way. The leash would at least only tangle you with anyone within one line length of you.