NAWILIWILI — The brief return of the tradewinds Thursday brought surprises to the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series, Race No. 2. After finishing No. 3 in the opening race of the series two weeks ago, Marcie Millet was able to
NAWILIWILI — The brief return of the tradewinds Thursday brought surprises to the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series, Race No. 2.
After finishing No. 3 in the opening race of the series two weeks ago, Marcie Millet was able to master the water and handicap to pilot Papaau to a top finish in 10 to 15 mph winds out of the north-northeast over the 6-mile course covering three legs.
NYC Rear Commodore Fred Styer with the Race Committee said Millett got off to an early start, navigating directly upwind to the outer jetty heading to Ninini Point. With two long offshore legs, the benefit lay on Bonjolea II’s deck, but Tess Moeller aboard Fast Company grabbed the lead on the down-wind run.
The lead was short-lived as Fast Company’s spinnaker hit the water, opening the window for Alison Fornari on OZone to capitalize on the miscue. Setting behind all the action, Millett kept Papaau consistent in the water.
Papaau relinquished top finish honors to Bonojolea II, top finisher in the opening race, with its fourth place crossing for a 1 hour, 11 minutes and 25 seconds elapsed sail, but corrected to 1:08:22 PHRF to capture top honors for the race, edging out OZone by just 32 seconds, OZone posting a 1:08:57 PHRF finish following correction from her 1:08:51 third place elapsed sail.
Bonnie Tiffany, behind the wheel on Bonjolea II, settled for third place on a 1:11:33 PHRF correction after finishing first in elapsed sail at 1:07:09 and Fast Company lagged at No. 4 on a 1:12:31 elapsed sail and correcting to 1:12;38 PHRF.
Styer described Risa Whetzel’s style of skippering as “classic island style,” the teenager moving Weatherly through the course on a 1:13:29 elapsed sail and correcting to 1:13:36 PHRF. The finish also corrected to 1:06:19 Club for third place honors in that class.
Karen Cole piloted Coyote to a 1:22:36 elapsed sail and corrected to 1:17:22 PHRF, her flashy new spinnaker stealing the show.
Trinity, the speedy F-28 trimaran with Victoria Aiu at the stick, had the crowd cheering on her sharp turns across the finish line. The trimaran crossed on a 1:08:34 elapsed sail, second overall, but falling to 1:18:03 PHRF following the correction. Trinity also corrected to 1:01:16 Club for top honors in that class.
The Wahine series, were each eligible boat has to have a wahine at the helm throughout the race, continues Thursday with the first flags flying at 5 p.m.
