Close Finish in the 4th Race of Gene Wells Memorial Series

Winds were moderate from the north-east as seven boats went to the starting line. The course, again because of the missing harbor buoy, was two laps of the “A” course (which skips the missing buoy). The big question among the 20 or so spectators on the dock was: could Kato pull off a fourth straight win in the end of season series? A second question, at least among the race committee, was: will there be another protest?

The start was tight, but clean, Within two minutes of the start, boats were tacking, looking for the best wind…or “covering” the moves of rivals. Ozone moved out to an early lead, followed by Fast Company and Kato. The duel between Ozone and Fast Company was joined…and lasted to the final seconds of the race. Ozone managed to stay mere seconds ahead until the last few seconds, when Fast Company managed to find a wind gust which favored them, and squeaked over the finish line moments before Ozone, for first in the PHRF class. Ozone finished second, and Kato finished third in PHRF.

The answer to the first question was clear: Kato did not continue to dominate but finished in a respectable third place. The answer to the second question was equally clear: There were no protest flags in evidence. (The race committee is researching a possible recording mistake in time logging, which would not change finish positions.).

The battle in the club class quickly sorted itself out. Short-handed Weatherly, not running a spinnaker, as the finished in adjusted first place. Speedy finished second on club corrected time, and Bonjolea II finished third.

Gene Wells Memorial Race #4 Results (Subject to possible revision to correct a recording error):

– Bill Georgi – Rear Commodore

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