Hard to figure out from your description whether you had the spinnaker up or not when you went over. Since you shredded your spin before the start I am thinking you did not.

You are right that you have to look behind you in gusty conditions. You will see that puff just about to hit you, if you do, and can take appropriate actions. Like getting way back on the boat and holding on to something that will stay there. If you did not have the spin up and the main was all the way out, and you were not going DDW, the best thing to do is head up toward the wind like you did.

If you have a spinnaker up it is just the opposite. You are generating much of your own wind so going up will increase that. It is a trick to remember to go down with the spinnaker up to depower if you have never sailed a spin cat before.

Glad you had fun! She should keep showing you the bruises so you will not do it again. My crew would have a fit if I did that to her. Rule on our boat is "no capsizing".

Later,
Dan