NAWILIWILI — Eleven yachts took advantage of sunny skies to participate in the 2009 season opener hosted by the Nawiliwili Yacht Club, Saturday. Sharon Gibson, the NYC scorekeeper, said the skippers decided they would do each of the four courses
NAWILIWILI — Eleven yachts took advantage of sunny skies to participate in the 2009 season opener hosted by the Nawiliwili Yacht Club, Saturday.
Sharon Gibson, the NYC scorekeeper, said the skippers decided they would do each of the four courses to celebrate the opening of the season.
But where was the wind?
“Too bad the wind didn’t show up,” Gibson said. “Starting on the ‘A’ course, it was almost painful waiting for the entire fleet to just get out of the harbor.”
That long course took about an hour with “Papa‘au,” an Express 27, chipping out a lead on the return, accompanied by a Matson barge and its tug tender.
So much for doing all four courses, as the Race Committee decided to shorten the course just as the wind picked up to about five knots.
“Fast Company,” one of two Olson 30s in the field, made a break from the tight pack to finish first on the “B” course.
Gibson noted that in elapsed times, “Fast Company” topped the field on a 2:01.45 sail, but following her, four boats finished within two minutes of each other.
However, after applying the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet corrections, “Papa‘au” emerged the top finisher at 2:01.44 (2:07.10 elapsed) followed by “Fast Company” at 2:01.56 PHRF.
“Lelele,” a Wells 30, filled in third on a 2:06.15 PHRF (2:06.38 elapsed) followed by “OZone,” the second Olson 30 in the field,” at 2:07.07 PHRF (2:06.55 elapsed).
“Bonjolea” (2:15.00 PHRF), “Coyote” (2:24.56 PHRF) and “R&R” (2:36.31 PHRF) rounded out the monohull ships.
“Malihini,” a 35’ Cat, topped the field of four multi-hull vessels on a 2:11.57 PHRF sail (2:08.42 elapsed) for top honors in that class.
“Meshach,” a Custom 45, finished second with a 2:19:13 PHRF time although finishing ahead of “Malihini” in elapsed time at 2:06.22.
“Meshach,” a trimaran, was in the water for the first time in four years after being hauled out for major renovations, Gibson said.
“Trinity” and “Malolo” succumbed to the lack of wind and fired up their motors to go fishing, Gibson said.
The NYC opens its racing series Thursday with the first race of the Gene Wells Memorial Series.
The public is invited to view the races at no charge from the jetty wall area starting at 5 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
