I think we discussed this on the main forum a year ago or something like that.
I don't understand how you have never pitchpoled or capsized more often. I do agree that the more experience you have, the less likely you are to capsize... but you still do it occassionally. I do wonder when the last time SMyth capsized on a beach cat. Surely he went over more than once or twice on all his worrell adventures (given, that is extreme cat sailing).
I would argue that you haven't been pushed in the past, had underpowered boats, sailed most of your career without a spin, or just never went out when it was blowign more than 10kn <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I do agree that there is an edge which you can run... between capsizing and going as fast as humanely possible. That edge is what it is all about sometimes (although a nice relaxing sail is certainly rewarding too). If people got hurt all the time when they capsize or pitchpole then we wouldn't sail... so, in the end, it is part of the game. Of course, having said that... a capsize is what scared my wife off of sailing these boats and it was hardly an extreme day. However, she would have found a reason not to sail on it regardless <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />