NAWILIWILI — Betsy, a crew member from Bonjolea, had the best three-ball tournament – a post-race pool competition – by sinking three balls on two strokes, Thursday. But that did little to upset the order of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club
NAWILIWILI — Betsy, a crew member from Bonjolea, had the best three-ball tournament – a post-race pool competition – by sinking three balls on two strokes, Thursday.
But that did little to upset the order of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Minnesota Fats Series, Race No. 1, Thursday.
Seven boats lined up for the start at the far end of the harbor, taking advantage of the return of the trades that cooled down the evening in the 5-10 knot range.
Fast Company, always aggressive in the races, was at the front only to lose its lead position to OZone within the first 100 yards of the clean start.
But Fast Company, working with aggressive spinnaker work, capitalized on the trades to build a strong lead returning from the first of three legs in the race. That lead never changed for the remainder of the race when Jim Saylor’s crew crossed on an elapsed sail of 56:31 (56:36 PHRF). That was corrected to 56:56 with the post-race pool tournament.
Malihini, being slowed by the pack at the start, worked steadily to improve its position, moving up to challenge Lelele, a Wells 30, by the return of the first leg. Both boats jockeyed for best tacks, but Lelele stayed in the No. 2 position for a 57:14 PHRF (57:44 pool) followed by Malihini (59:31 PHRF; 59:46 pool).
The fourth through sixth places was where the competition was in the pack as OZone, shooting out strong at the start, had settled to fourth overall by the end of the
first leg.
More woes plagued the Olson 30 as her sail flapped in the wind on the final stretch leading to the finish line. That opened up the door to a challenge by Bonjolea, who was waging her own battle with Coyote, both boats overlapping each other heading toward the final turn of
the race.
When the spray settled, OZone managed to cross the line in fourth place on a 1:01:42 elapsed sail, but with the PHRF and pool corrections, was relegated to sixth place by Coyote.
Coyote, a C&C38, finished sixth overall, on an 1:03:35 elapsed sail, 13 seconds behind Bonjolea (1:03:22 elapsed).
However, with the PHRF and pool (tournament) corrections were applied, Coyote took the No. 4 berth (59:33 PHRF; 1:00:03 pool) over Bonjolea (1:00:56 PHRF; 1:00:56 pool). Coyote (49:37 CLUB) also topped the Club class over Bonjolea (52:40 CLUB).
Speedy (1:06:49 elapsed; 1:03:58 PHRF; 1:03:09 pool) and Papa‘au (1:06:49 elapsed; 1:03:58 PHRF; 1:04:03 pool) rounded out the field.
The Minnesota Fats Series continues on Thursday and the public is invited to view the races from the jetty wall vantage point.
First flags fly at 5 p.m.
