Not to hijack the thread, but this is exactly the kind of incident that prompted me to start the thread on tethers and such.

From my experience this year - you may have intended to hold on to the mainsheet but you would not have been able to do so (I know I couldn't), and you might have injured yourself if the sheet was wrapped on your hand. Recent issue of Practical Sailor has an article on tethers and a little experiment about being dragged by a tether at 6 or knots and found it be a dangerous experience. I'm starting to think a short tether to keep you on the boat is a better answer...