Kato takes Horse by the Tail

Having the best start is sometimes a good predictor on how well a boat finishes, and so it was with the third race of the NYC Horse and Pony Series. With a short 2.5 mile course it is especially critical to get across the start line in a good position and as the seconds counted down a row of boats formed up at the starboard end of the start area. It was Kato that denied OZone room to cross the line requiring OZone to sail outside the mark, circle back to pass through the line, and end up in the rear. The lead pack of boats made up of Kato, Trinity, Papa a’u, Fast Company, and Bonjolea II set their sails for the Kalapaki Buoy before turning out to the Lighthouse Buoy. Keeping up with the pack was Lelele using a loaner mainsail having blown out her usual mainsail in the Offshore Race Series.

With the trade winds blowing in directly from the East the boats had to perform several tacks to make it out to the Lighthouse and OZone was able to make up for lost time. Kato, flying a larger jib than the rest of the Olson 30’s was around the mark with a big lead. Trinity, Bonjolea II, Ozone and Fast Company were around next as they set their chutes for the downwind leg into the harbor.

Kato rounded the leeward mark and headed for the barn (finish line) for her first win in the Horse and Pony Race. Next to arrive at the finish line was Trinity on starboard tack with Bonjolea II and OZone converging on port tack. Bonjolea II tacked just ahead of OZone and finished 8 seconds behind Trinity and 10 seconds ahead of OZone. After PHRF corrections, it was Kato coming in first place with a time of 28:52, Papa a’u finished in second place with a time of 31:10, and third place went to OZone with a corrected time of 31:22.

The Pony race had Jim Saylor (Fast Company) beating the Pony favorite Doug Moore (Bonjolea II). Bill Evslin (OZone) finished in third place.

With the combined Horse and Pony scores the series has Fast Company leading with 15 points and Bonjolea II in second with 18 points. Currently there is a tie between Papa a’u and OZone each with 20 points. Weatherly and Trinity each have a combined score of 29 putting them in contention for Club Class leaders with Speedy following closely with 30 points.

– Kevin Arndt

Click for Results and more photos by Charlotte