Your decision NOT to sail was the right one.

You probably would have done fine. Most of the bigger boats/crews did all right but the lighter ones just couldn't deal with beating to weather in those waves when the wind got over 30. Solo, I just did not have enough inertia to punch through the froth nor weight to hold the bows down in the gusts.

Still, a good time was had by all. Stories to tell for years to come!