Today I had some problems with Alien. It seemed on every tack I was passing
other sailboats. It was a gusty day, and most boats were reefed down. I left
my
main alone and reefed down the genoa.

Good on you. Leave that annoying main in the cover where it belongs. Now, as
far as passing other boats goes, there is this condition called "in irons" and
in extreme circumstances it can cause a vessel to make backward progress. I
suspect this is the source of your unacustomed passing ability. I suggest you
look into it.