NAWILIWILI — OZone worked a smart tack and spinnaker to wrestle the lead from Fast Company at the final race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Minnesota Fats Series, Thursday. That win was pivotal for the Olson 30 in wrapping up
NAWILIWILI — OZone worked a smart tack and spinnaker to wrestle the lead from Fast Company at the final race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Minnesota Fats Series, Thursday.
That win was pivotal for the Olson 30 in wrapping up the series with a first finish.
Papa‘au, wrestling with Speedy for the No. 3 position in the race, played a key role in the last race of the year, finishing fourth overall on a 49:02 elapsed sail, but catapaulting to second place following the application of its PHRF (46:56) and Club (43:22) corrections.
Those final figures bumped Fast Company, finishing second overall on a 47:11 elapsed sail, into third place following the PHRF (47:15) correction. With the Club (45:55) correction applied, Fast Company ended fifth.
Speedy, finishing third overall on a 48:19 elapsed sail, was bumped to fourth following the PHRF (48:23) correction, then back to third following the Club (43:52) correction.
Following the post-race pool tournament, the Club division results saw Papa‘au catapult to first (43:22) followed by a tie for second between OZone (44:02) and Speedy (44:02). Fast Company ended fourth (46:05).
Coming off the starting horn, Papa‘au, its crew sporting new yellow boat shirts, swept in from outside the pack to take an early lead in the clean start.
That changed coming in from the Ninini Point turnaround where Fast Company’s red spinnaker appeared first, challenged by the new white sheet from OZone. Those front runners were followed by Speedy and Papa‘au waging a similar battle for the No. 3 berth.
Heading to the inland turn, OZone’s spinnaker work kept it in the chase while Fast Company opted to strike its spinnaker at the harbor’s entrance.
With its spinnaker billowing in the 5-10 knot winds blowing out the East-Southeast, OZone crept up on Fast Company and finally overtook the Olson 30 captained by Jim Saylor at the can.
Only then did OZone strike its spinnaker. But the race was not over as Fast Company, taking advantage of the ESE winds, raised its spinnaker in an attempt at wrestling back the lead.
OZone held firm and following the far can at Kalapaki Bay, Fast Company was forced to pull in its spinnaker, relinquishing the lead, and the race, to OZone.
That same scenario played out with Speedy and Papa‘au, although both skippers mimicked each other’s moves and Papa‘au gained an edge at the point of the jetty wall heading into the final short course.
Following the four leaders, Coyote (56:17 elapsed, 52:43 PHRF, 43:55 Club), Malihini (52:36 elapsed, 53:56 PHRF, 50:17 Club) and Bonjolea (58:40 elapsed, 56:25 PHRF, 48:46 Club) filled in the fleet.
Following the excitement of the final race, OZone topped the series with four first finishes and a third for seven points. Fast Company, ending with two first finishes, a second and two thirds, settled second with 10 points, just one point ahead of Papa‘au, ending the series with four second finishes and a third for 11 points.
Malihini (18 points), Coyote (24 points), Bonjolea (28 points), Speedy (30 points) and Lelele, withdrawing from competition following damage sustained in the Oct. 1 race, rounded out the fleet.
With the completion of the final series for the year, the public is invited to the Nawiliwili jetty wall for the NYC annual Halloween Costume Race and Party scheduled for Oct. 31 starting at 5 p.m.
In addition to the fun that comes with the themed race, at stake will be prizes for the Best Boat’s Costume Theme as well as Best Costumes at the post-race party which follows the race at the NYC Clubhouse. A special Best Witch’s Cackle can earn a prize at the party featuring NYC yacht dawgs, burgers, chicken, potato salad and dessert.
For more information, call Terry Wells at 828-1101.
