‘OZone,’ ‘Malihini’ overcome cold winds in Nawiliwili

NAWILIWILI — The wind rattled the jib of “Kalewa,” a 50-foot catamaran heading out to the first of two short courses, Thursday.

The catamaran, dominating the opening leg of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Gene Wells Memorial Series, Race No. 3, came to a noisy standstill in the North-Northeasterlies blowing cold air in the 15-25 mph range.

Earlier, “Kalewa” slipped a good distance ahead of the seven-boat field, but the multi-hull developed a problem with her jib in the wind and was forced to finish the two short courses with just her main sail.

As the wind filled her main, “Kalewa” picked up speed, but on each tack, she slowed, handicapped by the lack of a headsail.

That gave her a 1:01.18 elapsed sail, but following the PHRF correction, “Malihini,” a 35-foot cat, topped the multi-hulls on a 1:06.13 (1:04.35 elapsed) PHRF sail.

“Meshach,” still finding her water after being dry-docked for the past four years, decided to sit out the race after failing to reef her two mainsails in time for the starting flags.

The chilly brisk winds played with the monohulls and skippers were taxed with their knowledge as some boats utilized the pulling power of spinnakers while others opted to keep the chutes stowed.

“Speedy,” an Olson 30, had the lead coming in from the long course, but relinquished that to other boats during the inland tacks.

“OZone,” another Olson 30, did not fly her spinnaker, but held off a strong challenge from “Lelele,” a Wells 30, to finish first in both elapsed (:49.55) and PHRF (:50.00) corrected sail.

“Lelele” followed with a :50.52 elapsed (:50.43 PHRF) with “Papa‘au,” using her spinnaker, settled into third (:53.20 elapsed, :51.59 PHRF). “Speedy”  (:51.59 PHRF) and “Bonjolea” (:55.20 PHRF) rounded out the field.

This was the second week the fleet sailed under exciting conditions created by the brisk winds.

The public is invited to view the races as the NYC continues the series with Race No. 4, Thursday.

First flags fly at 5 p.m.