It depends
Hello,
You see this variation rarely, and especially on older boats. The idea is that, because the uppers form only a small angle on their way past the lower spreaders, they don't add anything to mast stability, so there's no harm in skipping the connection. As long as the lead from chainplates to upper spreaders to masthead is fair, no harm done.
However, that long exposed length can wave around on the leeward side, even banging on and tangling with the intermediates. And even a small angle on the lower spreaders provides some lateral support, integrating the flow of forces more fully. And the lead aft means the mains'l contacts the upper shroud that much sooner. For these reasons and likely more -- suggestions, anyone? -- we tend to keep the connection at the lower spreader.
Question: what are the respective lengths of the spreaders on your boat?
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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