NAWILIWILI — Kalewa, a 50-foot cat, swooped in on the inside track, close to the jetty wall to take the lead, Thursday. Kalewa held on to the lead through most of the race, but could not overcome its handicapping as
NAWILIWILI — Kalewa, a 50-foot cat, swooped in on the inside track, close to the jetty wall to take the lead, Thursday.
Kalewa held on to the lead through most of the race, but could not overcome its handicapping as Fast Company, piloted by Jim Saylor, settled a three-way race between the smaller boats to take the first race of the Gene Wells Memorial Series hosted by the Nawiliwili Yacht Club.
“Kalewa must have a huge, huge lead to win,” said Sharon Gibson, the NYC scorekeeper, watching the catamaran return in a strong lead position from the Ninini Point turnaround.
Lelele, a Wells 30, and Fast Company waged a battle for second place, the Saylor piloted Olson 30 taking the tight tack to the sea wall to take the lead from Lelele heading to the final turn of the first leg in 10-20 knot winds blowing cold out of the North.
That race tightened up in the second of three legs, the lead between Lelele, Fast Company and OZone changing several times.
But when the spray settled, Fast Company crossed just 18 seconds ahead of OZone in elapsed time. With the PHRF adjustments, Fast Company (1:07:42) captured the top spot over OZone (1:08:00) and Lelele taking third on a PHRF 1:10:00.
Papa‘au filled in fourth at PHRF 1:10:29 followed by another pack of tight finishers.
Coyote settled in fifth on a PHRF 1:12:10 followed by Bonjolea (PHRF 1:13:57) and Speedy (PHRF 1:17:05).
The PHRF corrected times do not reflect the close finish by the three boats as the elapsed times showed Bonjolea crossing at 1:16:54, just four seconds ahead of Speedy (1:16:58), and Coyote (1:17:03).
Kalewa despite its 1:05:16 elapsed time finish, first overall, was relegated to seventh with a PHRF 1:21:35.
More tight racing is on tap as the NYC hosts the second race of the series, Thursday.
The public is invited to view the competition at no charge from the jetty wall. First flags fly at 5 p.m.
