My two bobs worth;

In stronger winds you need to let more sheet out. I recently got caught in a heavy wind race with brainfade, wondering why I was blowing tacks and then it dawned on me that unlike light wind tacking where I can keep the main sheeted [430 - F14] I needed to dump about a foot of sheet.
I already new this but had forgotten <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> after a long period of light wind sailing.

Steering a wider arc helps also as it reduces rudder drag resulting from a more acute blade angle.

Bern