I just called it a genoa; it might have been closer to a gennaker or not. It was disposable, not even a delivery sail. But it felt fine.
With the exception of the gybe, we felt in control but with Point Conception approaching we wanted to pull in and we thought Morro Bay was the best idea. With some more thought, experience and planning, we might have been able to sneak into San Luis Obispo Bay. I recall now that half the crew, the skipper included, were seasick.
These are the sort of questions you need to work through before you leave port, especially in seas. The Coast Pilot is a good resource.
No kidding, they should have had a jib up, and reefed both sails in 30 knots, even downwind. In high seas and high winds, you can easily broach with a genoa up. I've done it. We had to cut the genoa sheet to right the boat. Good times!
What is a genoa in this context?