My girlfriend are new to sailing (8months) but we've been trying to race offshore and in so have been out in pretty strong winds. When you're pushing it, pitch poles and side capesizing will happen. We've already had many (mostly due to swells), and neither of us has been hurt yet. Just going with the flow seems to work. You can also avoid it by adjusting the rake further back (release the jib halyard two inches or so) if you find the hull flying too much I think. The worse would be hitting the side stay full force in a pitch pole I would think. Just watch the leeward hull at all times (I need to when getting out on trapeze ) You'll find the more you fly the hull the more control you'll develop...pitch poling..well weight back. I also carry a 'life-line' in my box for windy days. It's a rope with several knots at about two foot intervals which runs along the beam (attached below the beam corners) to hold onto..check it out.