Fast Company Takes Gene Wells #7

The 7th Gene Wells Race was held on 9/26/19 with very unusual winds coming from the southwest at 6-10 knots and these winds were very flukey. The short 2 lap V-X course over 3.19 miles in the light air started towards the mountain and rounded the G-7 buoy to port. Fast Company had a nice start and in spite of skipper Jim Saylor being hit in the head with the boom, they took an early lead. Fortunately Jim was wearing his crash helmet for protection as this has happened to him before. Ozone and Papa Au followed closely. On the way back in from the lighthouse Ozone was able to pass Fast Company at the breakwater to take the lead. But on the downwind run to the Kalapaki buoy Fast Company took back the lead, helped by Ozone who snagged their spinnaker on the red #6 buoy by the race committee. By the time their spinnaker was freed up and after Ozone had to do their 360 degree penalty turn for hitting the buoy, Fast Company was long gone. Now Weatherly was close on Ozone’s heels with skipper Carl Andersson and his hot shot crew of young sailors. Fast Company easily finished first in the PHRF Class with a corrected time of 37:31. Ozone was second at 39:27 and only 17 seconds behind in third place was Weatherly at 39:44.

In the Club Class it was Papa Au in first, Bonjolea II in second followed by Speedy. Kato, Double Espresso and Iwa did not race.

A delicious meatloaf, potatoes and gravy, salad and dessert was provided by the Papa Au crew having had the incredible food cooked by Marci Millett of Amaize.

After 7 races it looks like we should get in all 10 races and so we will have 2 throw outs. That means that the series standings right now have Papa Au and Ozone tied for first with 10 points with Fast Company close behind with 11. Very close racing!!!

The 8th race of the Gene Wells Memorial Series will be held on Thursday October 3rd with a start time of 5 pm. The public is invited to watch the races from the Nawiliwili Breakwater parking area.

-Chris Jordan

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