FAST COMPANY WINS THE ALL SHORT SERIES RACE 1 WITH JIM SAYLOR STEERING

The first race of the ALL SHORT SERIES had course D-E-A-D so there was actually one leg outside to the Ninini Lighthouse buoy (and most of the skippers love going outside, particularly with bigger waves and wind as they can get their boats surfing). But the action is better for the public to see and for the photographers to take pictures on the inside races. The 5.62 mile course had winds out of the East-northeast at about 12-15 knots.

Papa Au appeared to have the best start although several boats could be heard yelling “over early” until the race committee announced “all clear” over the radio. Ozone was yelling at Speedy that they were barging but Speedy squeezed in OK. Kato started near the back of the fleet but they gained throughout the race. Fast Company rounded the Kalapaki buoy first followed by Papa Au, Speedy, Bonjolea II, Kato, Ozone, Double Espresso and Weatherly. But at the G-7 buoy downwind it was now Bonjolea II in the lead followed by Fast Company, Papa Au and Kato. Ozone was able to get inside Speedy at this mark to get ahead. And at the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station Papa Au was able to get inside Fast Company and they went ahead. But on the upwind leg Fast Company was able to get ahead of Papa Au. And on the downwind leg from the Kalapaki Buoy Kato was finally able to pass the always well raced Express 27 Papa Au (who has a much slower rating than the 6 Olson 30’s in the race). Papa Au is steered by Jeff Olsen.

Meanwhile, back at the Kalapaki buoy, there was considerable excitement on Double Espresso with the youngest sailors. The jib sheet had an override on the winch and try as they might it could not be loosened. Double Espresso hove to and they were now heading away from the mark in the wrong direction. Uncle Carl Andersson had to take the winch apart in order to free up the trapped line. And later the 12-15 year old kids on Double Espresso got to experience their first round up downwind under spinnaker. A good learning experience! (Always remember that the low side people closest to the water always ease the sheets in order to prevent the round up. Afterwards trim in the main first until you can get some boat speed and then turn sharply downwind where there is less apparent wind and then trim in the chute before you try to reach back up.)

At the G-11 buoy downwind under spinnaker Ozone was gaining on Papa Au and Kato. But Ozone’s skipper Chris Jordan got greedy and left the chute up too long and Ozone had to go way beyond the buoy before the spinnaker could be pulled in (from under the boat at one point…) Needless to say Dick Olsen the skipper on Speedy was smiling as they passed Ozone.

The third leg of the race went outside to the Ninini Lighthouse buoy and Bonjolea II rounded here first followed by Fast Company, Kato, Papa Au, Speedy, Ozone and Weatherly. But Bonjolea II with Bonnie Tiffany steering developed steering cable problems and they did not fly their spinnaker downwind. Rear Commodore John Ross was again the hero when he went below and held onto the cables and eventually he got them fixed. But in the meantime Fast Company was able to take the lead from Bonjolea II.

Ozone was able to pass Speedy on this downwind leg. And at the G-11 buoy it was Fast Company in the lead with Jim Saylor steering, closely followed by Bonjolea II and then Kato. Further back it was Ozone, Speedy and Weatherly grouped together having their own battle.

On the final upwind leg to the Kalapaki buoy Fast Company tacked early and went through the middle of the start-finish line while Bonjolea II took it all the way out to the lay line by the pin end. The couple of extra tacks that Fast Company had to do caused them to fall behind Bonjolea II. Bonjolea II subsequently crossed the finish line first taking line honors but they fell to 4th place on handicap. Fast Company took first place in the PHRF Class followed by Papa Au in second and Kato in third. In the Club Class it was Speedy in first, Bonjolea II in second and Weatherly with Astrid Andersson on the helm in third. Next week will be Astrid’s last race as she heads off to college in Monterey California. She will be missed!

The public is invited to watch the second race of the ALL SHORT SERIES next Thursday August 12th with a 5 pm start. Parking is available at the Nawiliwili mole parking area where the race committee is located. After the race a Kauai Sailing Association presentation will be given by Julie Gardner who will talk about the Kauai Sailing Association programs including the vision for our Marine Science Center. Julie has been making all the YouTube videos for the kids on the KSA website.

-Chris

Click here for complete results on the racing page and more photos from Charlotte.