FAST COMPANY WINS THE GENE WELLS #5 RACE

Only 5 boats started the fifth Gene Wells Memorial Race on 9/30/21. The 5.8 mile course A-A-E had 2 laps out to the Ninini lighthouse buoy and one inside lap around the Kalapaki buoy with all 3 laps rounding the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station downwind. The 12-19 knots of wind was out of the East-northeast.

Fast Company had the best start at the pin end on starboard tack with Ozone about 13 seconds late behind them. Papa Au and Weatherly decided to do a port tack start near the race committee. It appeared that starboard tack was better. When Ozone tacked back towards the breakwater Fast Company tacked to cover them and they were able to make it out of the harbor while Ozone had to do 2 more tacks that put them quite a bit behind. Weatherly ducked Papa Au as all the boats headed out towards the Ninini lighthouse buoy. Fast Company rounded first, followed by Ozone, Papa Au, Weatherly and Double Espresso. Zooey was steering for the teenagers on Weatherly and her father Vince Huntley, who was crewing on Ozone, was somewhat anxious for her. Fortunately she did great. On Double Espresso the youngest Kauai Sailing Association kids trade off positions for experience and it was Kai and Dasha steering.

On the downwind leg to the G-11 buoy Ozone was gaining on Fast Company, perhaps due to their new spinnaker. They were almost side by side as were Papa Au and Weatherly further back. Fast Company was inside and ahead at the G-11 buoy. Ozone tacked away early on the next upwind leg when they saw a puff of wind coming down. But Fast Company tacked to cover Ozone and stay in the same wind. Meanwhile Weatherly had gained on Papa Au. Fast Company and Ozone were side by side with Fast Company a little ahead heading upwind. Both boats tacked to stay inside the G-5 buoy at the start-finish line as required in case the race is shortened. When Ozone tacked again the wily Fast Company skipper Jim Saylor covered once more. But at a subsequent tack near the end of the breakwater, which is
considered an obstruction, Ozone was able to take over the lead. While heading out to the lighthouse buoy, Ozone kept trying to reach up in front of Fast Company to give them bad air but it was not to be as Fast Company stayed in clear air. Ozone now rounded the lighthouse buoy in the lead followed by Fast Company, Weatherly, Papa Au and Double Espresso.

But downwind under spinnaker the duel continued and Fast Company was able to pass Ozone. Ozone had their spinnaker sheet unexpectedly come off the spinnaker so that the chute was uncontrolled. But the foredeck crew did a remarkable job getting it reattached quickly so that Fast Company didn’t gain much more.

The 3rd lap went to the Kalapaki buoy and when Fast Company and Ozone tacked at the breakwater they were both low of the mark. Ozone tacked too early and this mistake cost them as Fast Company gained considerably. But when the two boats got back downwind to the G-11 buoy Ozone had closed the gap so that Fast Company was only a little bit ahead. After rounding the buoy Ozone was behind but to weather of Fast Company. Ozone tacked away again early in desperation, but perhaps should have continued on as there may not have been enough room for Fast Company to tack. But Ozone lost more distance much to the chagrin of skipper Chris Jordan.

At the finish line it was Fast Company taking line honors and first place in the PHRF Class with Ozone in second and Weatherly in third. In the Club Class it was Papa Au in first place and Double Espresso in second. (With only 5 boats there was no third place). Papa Au was missing their regular rock star helmsman Jeff Olsen. Double Espresso did not have their RaceQ’s on so it is hard to comment on their race. But all the kids seemed to have a great time.

The 6th race of the Gene Wells Memorial Series will be held on Thursday 10/7/21 with a 5 pm start. The public is invited to watch the races from the Nawiliwili mole parking area.

-Chris

Click the link for access to complete results and the RaceQs replay on the racing page.