J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum Racing Tools and Techniques Launching Spin from Front Hatch?

Steve - I remember when I crewed on Smiles for the 2007 NAs that they did the spinnaker in the fwd hatch, but don't recall the details. Just wondering on the following questions if you could explain what's done.

• Is the spin halyard left attached, or connected just before launch?
• If connected before launch, I assume it has to run forward, outside the jib, under the jib foot, then back to the spin head. Is it less difficult than that sounds?
• Are sheets left connected after the douse?
• Does a person need to be below the fwd hatch to pull in the spinnaker, or can it be stuffed quickly enough from topside?
• How many people are forward during the douse (doing what)