Genoa

A large triangular headsail, extending abaft the mast and often coming right down to the deck. A very efficient sail, because it gets a clean wind free from interference by any other sail, the ‘genny’ can be awkward to handle and, if low¬cut, can block the helmsman’s view ahead. It was first recognised as a sail in its own right at the 1927 International Regatta in Genoa, though in fact it is simply a development of the Dutchman’sfok, the reaching staysail and the fisherman jib.