May also have succumbed to the (potentially deadly) skid/slip illusion. I see it sometimes with students (and sometimes licenced pilots) flying circuits in strong winds, they try and fly their turns using reference to the ground, they try and make things look the way they normally experience their path over the ground by over ruddering or over banking whilst using the same nose attitudes they normally do.
Both actions will reduce climb performance and increase descent rates. Can also set you up for stall/spin at low level
It is a powerful illusion when low to the ground at low airspeeds in strong wind.