I learned to sail on a lake in upstate NY where the wind direction that was in front of the boat was not always the same as at the sails. I was taught to look at the water to "see" the wind. And I still can see the wind on the water even if the tales are hanging limp. In a cat at full speed wind shifts that you are sailing into are very valuable to keep the pointy side up. you could also learn to feel the wind on your face and ears. You could always take up smoking as I am told that smoke from a cigarette is the best at telling wind direction. (I'd rather lose a race I'll assume you use the jib to tell wind direction in low wind as in high wind it is usually perpendicular to the waves.