FAST COMPANY HAS THEIR SECOND RUM

The second race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Rum Series was sailed on 4/11/19 with very strong gusty winds and some rain. Several of the boats decided not to race in the nasty conditions. Five Olson 30’s started with reefs in their mainsails. Papa Au, the Express 27, got a good start with a full main and their fractional jib. Fast Company started to weather of the other boats and got a good jump on the rest of the fleet. Kato was behind but tacked to the breakwater where they tacked again and took a lift and caught up with the rest of the fleet. Speedy should get a special trophy for racing in the very strong winds with only 2 crew (instead of the usual 6-8).

At the Ninini Lighthouse buoy it was Fast Company around in the lead followed by Kato, Ozone and Papa Au. Fast Company wisely delayed setting their spinnaker in the heavy air but when Kato saw them finally hoist their spinnaker they did the same in order to catch up. Ozone decided to play it safe and never set a spinnaker. This paid off when Kato had some spinnaker problems and Ozone passed them down by the G-11 buoy. It was great to see Double Espresso doing so well with the adult sailing students and at one point they were in 3rd place until Kato recovered and passed them using their spinnaker. Fast Company continued to lead the fleet easily with Jim Saylor on the helm guiding the boat in the strong gusty winds.

The final results showed Fast Company in first place in the PHRF Class with a time of 1:05:32 followed in second place by Ozone at 1:08:12 and Kato in third at 1:10:20. In the Club Class it was Papa Au in first place, Double Espresso in second and Speedy in 3rd. A Chinese food dinner was provided after the race by the crew of Ozone.

The 3rd race of the Rum Series will be held on 4/18/19 with a 5 pm start. The public is invited to watch the race at the Nawiliwili Jetty parking area.

-Chris

Click for complete results, race replay and more photos.