Wrathmonk,
I think I would want to see exactly which strap was routed where before making a judgement on that. I am struggling to picture it in my mind.
WRT the strength of Harness v Handle Linkage question, the Harness is very strong, designed to take massive loads and it is a mechanical linkage to the Handle. It is fair to say that may well have had a significant effect on man/seat separation.