Bonjolea II takes Wahine opener

Jakki Nelson demonstrated her talent aboard Fast Company on Thursday during the opening race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series.

NYC Rear Commodore Fred Styler said Jim Saylor of Fast Company took notice as Nelson piloted the Olson 30 through 8 to 12 mph trade winds which returned to its traditional course over the 3.71-mile race. The NYC Wahine Series requires participating boats to have a female at the helm throughout the race.

“The course usually favors the Olsen 30 sloops,” Styler said. “But, Bonnie Tiffany, skippering the Bonjolea II, a Sydney 36, overwhelmed the competition by nearly lapping the field to claim First to Finish honors and first in the PHRF class.”

Nelson settled for second place with Marcie Millet piloting Papaau to third place in the class after nearly catching Trinity, a trimaran, on a down-wind run.

Mary Kopitzke, owner of Maeva, another trimaran, did the piloting aboard Trinity to finish third in the Club class.

Briana Ryan, a teenager at the stick of OZone, was the crowd favorite getting more than 25 spectators at the mole cheering for her success despite the Olsen 30 finishing just out of the money.

Risa Whetzel, another teenager at the stick of Weatherly, pulled out her experience to settle the yacht in second place of the Club class with Karen Cole moving Coyote to the top of the Club class.

The wahine series takes a break for the Kauai Channel Race next week and returns to the water on Aug. 13 for its Race No. 2 when the first flags fly at 5 p.m.

The Kauai Channel Race takes place on Aug. 7 when yachts race from Oahu to Nawiliwili Harbor. First boats are expected at approximately 3:30 p.m.

A Kauai Channel Race awards party is scheduled for Aug. 8 at the NYC Clubhouse at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor with a menu prepared by Chef Joe Fox of the Kauai Brew Company.