KATO WINS AND BREAKS FAST COMPANY’S STREAK

The first of the Gene Wells Memorial Series of 10 races was held on 8/8/19 with 9 boats sailing a 2 lap course over 5 miles. The winds were lighter than usual at 5-8 knots and the sailboats had their large #1 jibs up for speed. A disaster of sorts happened just before the race to Bonjolea II, the Sydney 36. They became stuck aground near the G-7 buoy area in “keel cleaner corner”. They were unable to get free for over 10 minutes after the start of the race but once free they gamely continued to race on.

Fast Company with Jim Saylor steering had a great start at the pin end. It was nice to see Tim Perry back racing. He took the helm on Papa Au which was right up there after the start mixing it up with the Olson 30’s (a 3 foot longer and faster boat). Ozone’s skipper Chris Jordan was distracted worrying about Bonjolea II being aground and didn’t hear the countdown guns. Ozone ended up having to do a crash jibe to avoid hitting the starting boats on starboard and so they started in the middle of the fleet. Double Espresso with Charlie and Matt on board looked really good for the first half of the race but later they faded. On the downwind leg Speedy tore their well known spinnaker with the spider logo and they had to put up a less competitive sail that slowed them down. Weatherly had a great crew of young sailors. This was Brianna’s last race before she heads off to college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Perhaps the 9 year old Stella Fornari who was also on the boat can fill in for her.

A fun battle took place between three of the Olson 30’s Kato, Ozone and Fast Company. Kato looked really good with their brand new mainsail and they finished first in the PHRF Class with a time of 1:14:31. Ozone took second at 1:15:00 with Fast Company a very close third, a mere 10 seconds behind. In the Club Class it was Double Espresso in first, Papa Au in second and Weatherly in third.
Bonjolea II was able to finish the race after being aground and hopefully they have no significant damage. Bonjolea II also provided the after race dinner of pizza (3 types!), salad and watermelon.

It was great to see Terry Wells (son of Gene Wells in whose memory the series is named) and his wife Carol along with the grandkids in the clubhouse after the race.

The second race of the Gene Wells Series will be held on Thursday 8/15/19 with a 5 pm start. The public is invited to watch the race from the Nawiliwili mole parking area.

-Chris Jordan

Click for complete results on the racing page.

Click for Wahine Series Race 4 Photos from Pam Zirker.