Kato walks away with the NYC Opening Day races

Kato, an Olson 30, skippered by Kevin Millett won both races of the Opening Day Race Series on Saturday, Feb. 11th, which marks the beginning of the 2017 race season for the Nawiliwili Yacht Club.

The 9 a.m. Skippers Meeting at the clubhouse occurred under grey rainy conditions with no sign of a breeze. It was decided to delay the start of the races by an hour to 11 a.m.

The boats assembled at the start line on time to find light and variable winds coming from all points of the compass. The Race Committee decide to delay the start another 15 minutes. Within that time the wind filled in, the clouds parted, and the sun came out. The start horn sounded and the fleet raced off to the first rounding mark with pent-up speed. The crews were ready to race after the winter recess!

Kato lead at the start and kept her lead on the 2.26 mile long course with Fast Company, another Olson 30, following in her wake ready to pounce should a slip up occur. Bonjolea II, a Sydney 36, followed closely behind gaining on the smaller boats. It was Kato that finished first with an elapsed time of 27 minutes and 6 seconds correcting out to 27:09 PHRF, then Fast Company at 29:25 PHRF, followed by Weatherly, another Olson 30, finishing third with a time of 30:10.

The second race once again saw Kato cross the line at full speed leading the pack when the start horn sounded. And once again, Fast Company and Bonjolea II were at her heels. The winds improved and the boats quickly completed the 2.19 mile course with Kato finishing first at 23:53 PHRF, then Fast Company at 24:12, followed by Papa a’u, an Express 27, with 24:36.

For the series, Kato took top honors in PHRF Class with Fast Company taking the second place trophy. Papa a’u took the third place trophy beating out Weatherly by one point.

Club Class had Weatherly taking top honors, Bonjolea II taking the second place trophy, followed by OZone with the third place trophy.

Afterwards the crews enjoyed the sunny day with a Champagne Picnic Party at the clubhouse. Grilled burgers and the famous NYC “yacht dawgs” were had along with champagne samosas.

NYC Races can be viewed virtually on the NYC website at http://www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org/, clicking on the “Racing” tab and scrolling down to “RaceQ’s Replay”. Better yet come down to the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty wall area at 5 p.m. on this Thursday and join us for the opening race of the Glen Hontz Memorial Series.

Kevin Arndt – VC

Click here for photos by Charlotte Ross