Bonjolea II topped the season-opening race hosted by the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Saturday at the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty wall. Coming off a blustery day of gale force winds and small craft warnings, the flotilla took off in a mixture of
Bonjolea II topped the season-opening race hosted by the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Saturday at the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty wall.
Coming off a blustery day of gale force winds and small craft warnings, the flotilla took off in a mixture of Kona winds, North winds and tradesblowing from 5 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
“Gusty and shifty winds made flying spinnakers very difficult,” said Rear Commodore Fed Styer. “Fast Company had the most successful spinnaker run during the first race, and also the most exciting spinnaker snafu during the third race, getting knocked down twice within 30 seconds and losing control before regaining composure and continuing on.”
Despite Bonjolea II, skippered by Bonnie Tiffany, and Fast Company with Jim Saylor at the wheel, taking the windward mark incorrectly, Bonjolea II doubled back and still captured overall honors in the PHRF class.
Styer said sailing rules state that when a boat incorrectly rounds a mark, it has to first undo the incorrect rounding, and then, re-round the mark in the correct direction.
Bonjolea II successfully completed the procedure while Fast Company could not and withdrew from the opening race.
Final results came in with Bonjolea II followed by Ozone in second with Speedy filling in the third berth.
Coyote, with Karen Cole at the wheel, topped the Club class with Fast Company getting the runner-up spot in the class.
Following the races, opening day was celebrated by “The Love Boat” put together by Mike Armstrong and celebrated by more than 40 people at the NYC Clubhouse. Sharon and Doug Gibson took the Best Love Boat Theme costume.
The public is invited to view the first of the NYC shoreline series Thursday when the Ken Dorland Memorial Series, a six-race run, opens at the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty when the first flags fly at 5 p.m.
