GENE WELLS RACE #1

The Gene Wells Memorial Series of 7 races is named after the famous boatbuilder and longtime Nawiliwili Yacht Club member Gene Wells. I can remember racing against “White Cap” owned by Jim Saylor, “Mapuana” previously owned by Tony and Sj LeHoven, “Malia” previously owned by Mel Wills, and “Tiare” once owned by Tim Perry. In addition there was “Sarina” owned by Guy Croyden, the 40 foot sloop “Fidelia” and perhaps my favorite of all, “Rebel”, which I have considered buying many times. Beautiful boats.

The first race of the series had course B-E-A with 2 of the 3 laps out to the Ninini lighthouse buoy, a welcome change after the all short series which rounded the Kalapaki Buoy. The 5.92 mile course had 15 knot winds out of the Northeast. Fast Company had the best start and never looked back. Speedy circled around at the pin end at the start but still looked good. Ozone got stuck in Papa Au’s bad air which slowed them down. At the Kalapaki buoy it was Fast Company in front, followed by Papa Au, Speedy, Ozone, and Weatherly. But upwind to the lighthouse buoy it appeared that Ozone’s new mainsail and jib helped them to pass Speedy.

Downwind under spinnaker Ozone was able to catch up to Papa Au and Weatherly passed Speedy. At the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station Fast Company had a nice lead. Ozone rounded just ahead of Papa Au who tacked away early towards the breakwater, probably to get out of the bad air from Ozone. Upwind again Ozone gained some on Fast Company while Speedy and Weatherly still appeared to be battling it out. Ozone was wishing for one more lap to try to catch Fast Company, but unfortunately it was not the course that was scheduled.

Fast Company took line honors and first place in the PHRF Class. Papa Au corrected on handicap to second place only 15 seconds behind Fast Company and 16 seconds ahead of Ozone who took third. In the Club Class it was Speedy taking first place and Weatherly taking second.

Uncle Carl Andersson was under the weather and so he was unable to take out the youngest junior sailors on the KSA boat Double Espresso. Kato didn’t race either as owner Kevin Millett and frequent helmsman Adrian Bertsch were off in Washington State on the big catamaran Kalewa, probably exploring the lovely San Juan Islands. And Bonjolea II has now finished her repairs in Honolulu but probably won’t be back until the Gene Wells Race #3.

The second race of the Gene Wells Memorial Series will be held on Thursday September 9th 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.