I disagree that new brakes are in order. Maybe I am not as fast as some guys, maybe they used steel rims (which don't brake at all when wet), maybe the fact that dual pivots came with new pads and cables was responsible for the leap in braking power, maybe the levers they had were too flexy.

The stamped dia-compes can be pretty thin. I would definitely get solid levers before new dual-pivot calipers. The OP looks like he has a solid, cast pair on there already, though.

Regular old fashioned side pulls are strong enough to throw you over the bars. They work okay when wet, too, unless as stated before you have a steel rim.