Wrestling with Jenny

July 18 1615(L) July 19 0015(Z): 4903N/13042W. 240NM due East to Juan de Fuca
Great day of sailing although we are still under overcast skies and cold weather. We are tracking on the rhumb line at 7-8kts all day. We had the genoa (aka Jenny) out for most of the day, but brought her in twice as we got over powered. Jenny is the largest of the three sails and the farthest forward. To bring her in, one of us goes to the bow to pull in the furling line. In contrast, the jib is small enough that it can be furled from the cockpit. So, earlier this afternoon, I put on my chest harness and life jacket, hooked into the safety line that runs from bow to stern and made my way forward to bring in Jenny. Chris was at the helm steering downwind to take as much wind out of the sail as possible. This makes the job easier. Dom was working the sheets and tailing the furling line back in the cockpit. Nick was snoring. The wind is gusting over 20 kts and there are 2-3 meter swells and wind waves crashing the boat. This of course is why we are bringing her in. So there I am on the bow bracing with every limb. I look back to see the crew in the cockpit and signal that I am ready. They are above me one moment and below me the next as the boat pitches and rolls. I pause for a moment and think "is the bow really connected to the stern." Then it begins, I grab the furling line and pull. There is great resistance and slow progress taking advantage of the wind breathing and being careful not to lose my grip as happened to Nick once. Jenny fights all the way in and the day Nick lost his grip, she unfurled to full sail and he had to start over. I keep scanning the seas trying to anticipate the next wave crashing at my feet and watching for the one that could knock me silly. At times they all look big enough to do the job, but most just lift Orisha and roll underneath. Once Jenny is in, I return to the cockpit crouched most of the way and crawling at times maintaining three points of contact as best is possible. The job is done. Jenny is in her cage for now and will not come out again unless conditions ease. We of course have done this many times throughout the trip. And while each time is different, the one constant is that we never wrestle with Jenny when it is calm.