NAWILIWILI — The promise of excitement from the winds gusting all day never materialized as the winds died just before the start of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Gene Wells Memorial Series, Race No. 5, Thursday. Instead, the departure of a
NAWILIWILI — The promise of excitement from the winds gusting all day never materialized as the winds died just before the start of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Gene Wells Memorial Series, Race No. 5, Thursday.
Instead, the departure of a fuel barge coinciding with the return of the flotilla from the long course of the race put boat skippers into alert mode as the barge slipped out of the harbor while the yachts tried to make their way to the transition at the far end of the harbor.
“Lelele,” a Wells 30, and “Fast Company,” an Olson 30 that returned to the race scene with new rigging last week, battled for the lead position, the fuel barge slicing between the two boats entering the harbor.
That gave “Lelele” the advantage as “Fast Company” took a tack closer to the pier and “Lelele” maintained the mountain line.
With one race remaining, “Lelele” clinched the monohull division with a first finish just 30 seconds ahead of “Fast Company.”
With the PHRF correction, “Lelele” topped the monohulls with a 37:19 sail to “Fast Company’s” 38:01 run under 5-15 knot winds out of the North Northeast.
“OZone,” sailing in the abscense of Chris Jordan who is on Maui training for the Trans Pacific race, might have finished sixth out of seven boats on a 44:59 PHRF time, but according to NYC scorekeeper Sharon Gibson, currently holds second place in the standings, just a point ahead of “Fast Company,” giving significance to the final race of the series this Thursday.
“Papa‘au,” (39:24 PHRF) “Speedy,” (42:59 PHRF) and “Coyote (44:03 PHRF) all finished ahead of “OZone,” but according to Gibson are still in the race.
“Bonjolea” sailed to a 45:44 PHRF time to round out the monohulls.
“Trinity,” an F-28R trimaran, was first overall in the field, and first in the multi hull category over “Malihini,” a 35-foot catamaran. “Trinity” clocked a 43:02 PHRF to “Malihini’s” 45:52 PHRF adjusted time.
However, based on the standings, Gibson said “Malihini” locked up the multi hull title with “Trinity” and “Meshach” tied at second place.
The public is invited to view the final race of the series on Thursday afternoon. First flags fly at 5 p.m.
Following this series, the Rum Series kicks off starting April 2.
