HORRIBLE WEATHER FOR THE INVITATIONAL RACE SERIES #4

Five brave boats took on the heavy rain and fluky wind for the fourth invitational race held on 6/27/19. This was probably the most unusual race in more than 15 years not only with the heavy rain and squalls, but with the 7-12 knot winds out of the south-south east changing dramatically at times almost 180 degrees. The 4.15 mile course of W-V-S was one never done before.

The unusual start went towards the mountains and around the green #9 buoy, back to the #2 Kalapaki buoy around and back to the #7 green buoy, back to the Kalapaki buoy and out to the lighthouse buoy. Then back in to the #11 buoy and around the #7 buoy to the Kalapaki buoy and then to the finish. Papa Au had a great race and they were the only ones to use Race Q’s for tracking on the computer.

Ozone had a good start with their #3 sail up but they were soon passed by Double Espresso with their larger #2 sail. Fast Company skillfully passed into second place a little later while Papa Au extended their lead. Papa Au and Fast Company put up their spinnakers early on in the risky wind conditions. Later Double Expresso tried this maneuver with their spinnaker with some spectacular round ups for Carl, Adrian and Charley. This allowed Ozone to catch up. At the finish line the impressive Papa Au finished well ahead in first place followed by Fast Company who later retired as they did not have a guest crew member as required by the race rules. Double Espresso was next but with their 3 second a mile handicap that they owe to Ozone it allowed Ozone to luckily sneak into second place with Double Espresso taking third and Speedy fourth.

The very wet crews enjoyed a hamburger dinner after the race kindly cooked by John Ross who also deserves kudos for his work on the Kauai Channel Race and for the yacht club website among other things.

On Thursday 7/11/19 the first race of the popular Wahine Series will take place. This race requires a woman to helm the boat. The public is invited to watch the race starting at 5 pm from the Nawiliwili mole parking lot.

-Chris

Click for race and overall series results.