PAPA AU NOT ONLY WINS THE SHORT RACE #4 BUT ALSO WINS THE SERIES

Six boats sailed in the final race of the All Short Race Series. Bonjolea II was in Honolulu for repairs and Kato didn’t sail and they were both missed (Bonjolea II had been tied with Papa Au for first place until this race). Two of the six boats (Weatherly and Double Espresso) had the junior sailors racing. These are hopefully the future members of the yacht club.

The 4.22 mile course D-E-D-E had four laps around the Kalapaki buoy. The wind was about 12 knots out of the East-northeast and most boats had their smaller #3 headsails up. Double Espresso (with the youngest of the junior sailors)
appeared to have the best start, crossing the line first. They tend to start down lower on the starting line to avoid the occasional mayhem at the pin end. Speedy however had a very nice start at the pin end. Ozone was quite pleased with their new #3 and mainsail as they were able to pass Double Espresso and take over the lead. Fast Company tacked away early to the breakwater and they appeared to have over stood and they gave up some distance. Weatherly and Double Espresso also tacked away, perhaps anticipating the header that often occurs near the Kalapaki buoy. But Ozone, Papa Au and Speedy kept on straight and all three boats caught a lift and rounded the buoy okay in that order. They were followed by Fast Company, Double Espresso and Weatherly.

Downwind under spinnaker Weatherly was able to pass Double Espresso and Fast Company passed Speedy. After rounding the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station, Papa Au tacked away early towards the breakwater and they gave up a lot of distance. At the next crossing they were behind Fast Company. Ozone’s new jib now came out of the Tuff Luff foil on the headstay and Vince Huntley had to run up on the bow for the rest of the race to hold the jib in place. The extra weight on the bow and the shape of the sail half out now slowed Ozone down quite a bit.

At the Kalapaki buoy a major squall now hit the fleet with very strong wind gusts and a soaking rain. It was the worst squall during an NYC race that I can remember in my 18 years here. Ozone had a big round up and Fast Company gained and was now right on their stern. After rounding the G-11 buoy Fast Company did a short tack to clear their air from being behind Ozone. And at the next crossing Ozone had to duck Fast Company’s stern. This was very painful to the Ozone crew as they had a nice lead early on until the jib came out. Weatherly also had new jib issues as their jib tore vertically along the bolt rope. (It is now in for what should be an easy repair).

After rounding the G-11 buoy for the final time Fast Company was in the lead. Ozone pinched up higher thinking they could prevent Fast Company from tacking to port to get to the finish line. But by pinching up they were even slower and Fast Company easily tacked ahead to the finish line to take line honors by 23 seconds over Ozone. But it was the well sailed Papa Au as the smaller boat with a handicap who took first place in the PHRF Class and first overall for the series. Great job! (before the race I had threatened Victoria Aiu, their awesome foredeck, with drowning in order to slow them down…) Fast Company took second place and Ozone third. In the Club Class it was Speedy in first place, Weatherly in second and Double Espresso in third.

The first race of the Gene Wells Series will be held on Thursday 9/2/21 with a 5pm start. The public is invited to watch the race from the Nawiliwili mole parking area.

-Chris

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