NAWILIWILI — The gusty tradewinds played havoc with at least one pony in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Horse and Pony Series, Race No. 2, Thursday afternoon. Although recorded at speeds of 15-20 knots — normal conditions — the winds generated
NAWILIWILI — The gusty tradewinds played havoc with at least one pony in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Horse and Pony Series, Race No. 2, Thursday afternoon.
Although recorded at speeds of 15-20 knots — normal conditions — the winds generated a National Weather Service high surf advisory for east-facing shores due to wind-driven surf and at Nawiliwili Harbor, generated a broken tiller and a detached mast from a small boat, or Pony.
“She had to drift to the shoreline where NYC Club members helped Speedy’s Pony get the boat ashore resulting in a Did Not Finish,” said Sharon Gibson of the NYC Race Committee. “The Pony part of this race was really exciting, and close!”
Fast Company, enjoying the return of Jim Saylor from the Olson Nationals on the Mainland, overcame its share of wind-driven woes to finish first in the Horse, or big boat, phase, crossing on a 37:02 elapsed sail and correcting to 37:05 PHRF for first place. She corrected to 36:18 Club for second place in that division.
Despite a second place finish for its Pony, Fast Company was able to top the race with a combined total of three points, just one point ahead of Papa‘au.
Papa‘au suffered an “Early Over” at the start and despite that setback, finished fourth overall, crossing on a 41:05 elapsed sail and correcting to 39:20 PHRF. But its Pony crossed first overall to boost the combined total to four points, just a point above OZone.
OZone was able to stay ahead of Fast Company through at least one leg of the two-leg Horse phase, dropping to second place on the return from the Ninini Point turnaround and crossing on a 38:05 elapsed sail, correcting to 38:09 PHRF. Adding its third place Pony finish, OZone settled for third with five points.
Bonjolea, whose crew was out enjoying the seven sailing canoes in Hanalei, Wednesday, returned to the water, slicing through the wind chop as the X-342 crossed on a 42:47 elapsed sail and corrected to 41:08 PHRF. She also corrected to 35:45 Club for top honors in that division.
Her Pony crossed fourth overall for nine points, tying with the mishap-stricken Speedy on nine points.
Speedy was in the mix at the start, finishing the Horse phase on a 40:52 elapsed sail, third overall, and corrected to 40:56 PHRF before the wind played havoc with its Pony.
The public is invited to view the third race of the series, Thursday from the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty wall area.
There is no charge for viewing the competition.
Visit www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org for more information.
