After reading your link, yes the bend at the top, just looked like a lot but as always still learningJaybee, given the photo, are you talking about mast bend, not rake?
Yes on the back staysLooks similar to mine, but it’s hard to tell from the front as the upper section of the mast is tapered. This adds to the appearance of bend even if it’s not that much when viewed up the sail track.
Looks like you have running backstays?