I just cleat the damn thing and keep the boat on the edge using my rudders. I uncleat only when I see a gust coming over the water. That's probably the reason why I'm slow. But then, I can use my hands the day after a race

I've also tried cleating the main and feathering the gusts with the traveler. I think it could work it you have a traveler that actually work, albeit a little coarse grained. My traveler is a little too rough, and doesn't roll easily enough for that purpose however.

I was looking at the Shadow skippers last time we raced with them and they actually never touch their mainsheet upwind: They keep the downhaul in hand instead and crank it hard in gusts. I haven't tried that yet, but as I changed the purchase from 8:1 to 16:1 on my downhaul I may try that next time.