SAILBOAT RACING IS BACK ON!!!

The Rum Race #1 was held on 6/11/20 much to the delight of the 8 boat crews. After 3 months of no racing everyone felt good to get back on the water. It has been way too long…

Fast Company jumped off to an excellent start after several months of Jim Saylor fine tuning the boat. Reefed mains were seen on Kato and Weatherly in the gusty Northeast winds, but later Weatherly shook out their main. Bonjolea II took a quick tack to the breakwater after the start as they appeared to get stuck in bad air from the other boats. On exiting the harbor Bonjolea II and Kato tacked earlier than Fast Company who kept going towards the Kukui light before tacking and this paid off as they extended their lead.

On the downwind leg Ozone did not fly a spinnaker as their two foredeck crew were absent. This allowed Kato and Weatherly to gain considerably. At the G-11 leeward mark Weatherly got an inside overlap on Ozone and rounded ahead. Only Bonjolea II, Kato and Ozone used RaceQ’s which was disappointing as the second spinnaker run had a lot of excitement inside the harbor with some most unusual courses. First was Weatherly to round up (release the main!) and the sheet and guy were WAY out. Then a short time later Papa A’u followed with an amazing spinnaker dance of their own (check out Charlotte’s great pictures of both spinnakers in the gallery). And finally, while rounding the leeward G-11 mark, Double Espresso developed an impressive wrap of their spinnaker around the forestay that had them heading off
towards the Coast Guard station. Fortunately everyone recovered with no apparent harm done (except to their egos).

At the finish line it was Bonjolea II taking line honors. They seem to do well in heavier air and their asymmetrical spinnaker looked beautiful. But it was Fast Company yet again taking first place on corrected time with Bonjolea II in second and Kato in third (but Aaron on Kato got the real prize as he became engaged to Emily on Double Espresso last week!) In club class it was Papa A’u in first. Weatherly in second and the lovely Iwa in third. Speedy didn’t race and was definitely missed.

Since the club house is closed to social gatherings the crews celebrated on their boats at the dock.

The second race of the Rum Series will be held on 6/18/20 with a start time of 5 pm. The public is invited to watch the race from the Nawiliwili pier parking lot where the race committee is available to answer questions.

-Chris

Click here for complete results on the racing page and more photos from Charlotte and Pam.