Hey Todd...
While you are inspecting your standing rigging, don't forget to inspect the attachment points in addition to what Matt suggested. I dismasted once due to a corosion related failure on my leeward bow tang (the attachment that holds the bridle wire to your hull). There is a crimp where the loop that holds the bridle wire comes back flat against the back side. That angle got some corosion in it and failed on me. It wasn't in a race, just having some fun in some really good winds.
Some people say to replace standing rigging every couple of years, without question. I think that depends really on whether you keep the boat set up, its overall exposure to weather, and how much salt related corosion you might get. I do it every 3 years or so and keep my old ones as backups. Racing has little to do with it.
Either way...don't forget that the standing rigging isn't just limited to your wires. Bummer of a way to end your day
Have a great new year!
Drej