BONJOLEA II WINS FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW IN THE SHORT SERIES RACE #3

Seven boats started the Short Series Race #3 with course E-D-E-D which had 4 laps around the Kalapaki buoy over 4.22 miles. The winds were about 12-15 knots out of the Northeast and the boats had their #3 sails up. Weatherly this week was without their usual driver Astrid Andersson and Double Espresso had Jeremiah filling in for Carl Andersson (who had taken his daughter Astrid to college in Monterey).

Kato probably had the best start on starboard tack. Again this week Ozone and Papa Au tried a port tack approach. Ozone had to slow down quite a bit at first by heading up and flogging their sails so that Jeff on Kato didn’t push them over the starting line early. But that resulted in a good start for Ozone as they were to weather of Papa Au. It looked like Fast Company was going to come from above the starting line and dip down and also start on port tack, but they subsequently sailed out to the pin end and started on starboard tack which cost them. So again this week Fast Company gave the fleet over a minute head start.

Bonjolea II is fast and gets out in front early so they don’t have to deal with all the smaller and slower boats. Skipper Bonnie Tiffany and crew seem to have the boat dialed in. As Kato approached the Kalapaki buoy they were low of the mark and with lots of other boats coming in on starboard their was no room for them to tack. So it looked like they gybed around below the buoy and came in from behind the other boats. And Papa Au appeared to either go past head to wind or do a quick tack in the zone so Ozone called for mark room which was given. So it was Bonjolea II, Ozone, Papa Au, Weatherly, Fast Company and Kato at this rounding. Double Espresso did not have their RaceQ’s on so it is hard to comment on them. The Olson 30 Speedy again did not race. Rumor is that a crew share is available or an outright sale of the boat. Compared to shipping one from the mainland ($8-$10 K) this boat would be a bargain. Just buy new sails with the money you save!

At the second Kalapaki buoy rounding it was now Bonjolea II, Ozone, Fast Company, Kato, Papa Au, Weatherly, and Double Espresso. On the downwind spinnaker leg to the G-7 buoy Kato was able to pass Fast Company who didn’t have enough experienced crew on board to use their spinnaker throughout the race. However, they were doing remarkably well under jib alone. Kato was also catching Ozone.

By the third Kalapaki buoy rounding Bonjolea II was still way out in front followed by Ozone, Kato, Fast Company, Papa Au, Weatherly and Double Espresso. Heading downwind Papa Au under spinnaker passed Fast Company under jib and both boats were catching Ozone who was having spinnaker issues. Indeed Kato passed Ozone. At the fourth and final rounding of the Kalapaki buoy it was Bonjolea II, Kato, Ozone, Fast Company, Papa Au, Weatherly and Double Espresso. Again downwind Papa Au under spinnaker was able to pass Fast Company as they were under jib alone.

At the finish line it was Bonjolea II taking line honors and first place in the PHRF Class. Papa Au corrected to second place on handicap by 20 seconds over Kato who took third place. In the Club Class it was Ozone in first followed by Weatherly in second and Fast Company in third.

With one more race in the series both Bonjolea II and Papa Au are tied for first place with 6 points each. But Bonjolea II is now over in Honolulu for some repairs and Papa Au looks to be unbeatable. The fourth and final race of the Short Race Series will be held on Thursday August 26th with a 5 pm start. The public is invited to watch the race from the Nawiliwili mole parking area. Unfortunately the after race dinners and educational talks are cancelled indefinitely due to the Covid virus.

-Chris

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