KATO WINS THE ERIC WING MEMORIAL RACE #3

The winning Olson 30 Kato is owned by Kevin Millet who is the son of Eric Wing for whom this series is named. Great job Kevin and crew! The 5.42 mile course was A-B-E with 2 laps out to the lighthouse buoy followed by an inside lap to the Kalapaki buoy. The wind was North-Northeast at 10-15 knots. The start had Bonjolea II, Double Espresso (with the Speedy crew), Weatherly and Kato on port tack by the race committee and Papa Au, Ozone, Fast Company and Iwa on starboard tack by the pin end. Fast Company had a bad start compared to usual and it looked like they were last for awhile but they soon started catching up. Weatherly and Ozone didn’t have RaceQ’s on so it is a little harder to comment on their performance during the race. Perhaps we should dock them 3 seconds a mile!!!

The wind was so far North that it was an early tack out to the lighthouse buoy. Bonjolea II led the way followed by Kato, Weatherly, Papa Au, Double Espresso, Ozone, Fast Company and Iwa. On the downwind leg Ozone was able to pass Papa Au and Speedy who stayed higher. Meanwhile, Fast Company was catching up quickly and they were able to pass Double Espresso. After rounding the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station, Fast Company was behind Papa Au but they tacked early and this paid off big time. When they next met up, Fast Company was ahead of Papa Au.

At the next lighthouse buoy rounding it was Bonjolea II still leading the fleet, followed by Kato, Weatherly (I believe), Ozone, Fast Company, Papa Au, Double Espresso and Iwa. Fast Company now passed Ozone downwind and later passed
Weatherly. On the inside leg after rounding the Kalapaki buoy Ozone had the spinnaker pole set up for the usual port side. But the wind was so far North that it was a starboard pole and skipper Chris Jordan kicked himself for not realizing that as he watched the leaders sail away.

At the finish line it was Bonjolea II taking line honors. Kato took first place in the PHRF class on handicap by 1 minute and 31 seconds. Bonjolea II took second place and Fast Company was able to make a great comeback to take third. In the Club Class it was Weatherly in first. Skipper Carl Andersson’s thumb laceration had healed enough that he could now steer. Papa Au took second and Ozone third.

The educational talk arranged by the Kauai Sailing Association had John Sawyer and Kristiina Chapman speaking about their return trip to Kauai from Tahiti on their newly purchased “perfect” 48 foot sailboat “Halekai”. The trials and tribulations of fixing and arranging things was quite entertaining and the audience seemed to be enthralled with their stories and pictures of their sailing adventure. John and Kristiina also arranged for the pizza, salad and dessert. Many thanks for a great evening!

The 4th race of the Eric Wing Memorial Series will be held on Thursday 4/22/21 with a 5 pm start. The public is invited to watch the races and join in the activities from the Nawiliwili mole parking area.

-Chris

Click the link for access to complete results and the RaceQs replay on the racing page as well as more photos from Pam.