NAWILIWILI — He tried. “We were tied for the lead with three first places in the Series,” Jim Saylor of “Fast Company” said, wringing his hands in frustration Thursday. “This was the last race, too, and I really wanted to
NAWILIWILI — He tried.
“We were tied for the lead with three first places in the Series,” Jim Saylor of “Fast Company” said, wringing his hands in frustration Thursday. “This was the last race, too, and I really wanted to be onboard.”
Returning from a trip to O‘ahu, Saylor motored up to the jetty wall parking lot with about two minutes before the starting flag for the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Gene Wells Memorial Series, Race No. 6.
But Fast Company, one of three Olson 30s participating in the race, was on the far end of the harbor as the frustrated Saylor stood at the water’s edge, his mind spinning out a way to get aboard.
“He’s not going to make it,” said Sharon Gibson, the NYC scorekeeper. “Not unless someone is nice and gives him a ride.”
Taking advantage of brisk 10-15 knot winds out of the East Northeast, the fleet of seven boat charged off the start line.
“They’re dead last,” Saylor moaned.
Returning from the initial leg from the Ninini Point Lighthouse turnaround, OZone, an Olson 30 and one of the Series leaders, held on to a slim lead, closely pursued by Speedy, another of the Olson 30s.
Into the harbor, and working through different tacks, Lelele, a Wells 30, made a move on Speedy heading out to the inland turn.
At the finish, OZone held on to its slim lead to finish with an elapsed sail of 40:56 (PHRF corrected 41:00) to fill in the top slot.
That finish gave OZone the race and the Series title in the PHRF Class.
Lelele followed on an elapsed time of 42:58 (42:50 PHRF) for second place over Fast Company who crossed at 43:44 (43:48 PHRF) for third place.
Despite the strong second place showing, Fast Company was awarded second place in the Series over Lelele.
Filling in the fourth through seventh slots, Speedy crossed at an elapsed time of 43:46 (40:01 Club) for first place in that class.
She was chased by Mapuana, a Wells 35, that logged a Club 41:48 for second in the class.
Bonjolea, an X-342, logged in a 43:14 Club for third followed by Papa‘au, an Express 27, rounding out the fleet at 44:03 Club.
That order of finish also filled in the Series order.
With the completion of the Wells Memorial Series, NYC members are looking ahead to Oct. 31 when they host the annual Halloween race starting at 5 p.m.
Gibson said the public is invited to view the antics of the costumed crews and promised two inland courses so spectators can get good views of the crews.
