NAWILIWILI SAILORS RACE THEIR OLSON 30 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

On October 16-17 Nawiliwili sailors J.T. Schoonover and Jeff Dorn (of Fast Company) along with Jackson Hole / Kauai sailors Jefferson Franklin and Tom Russo, campaigned Olson Hull # 121 “Ishiban” in the Long Beach Yacht Club – Long Beach to Catalina regatta; a two day event of approximately 25 nautical miles each way, with great results!

Ishiban was previously chartered by Fast Company in 2014 for a National Championship and the boat was recently purchased and then refurbished (all-summer-long) by J.T. Schoonover. The boat will be dry-sailed and mainland based for select events.

The race was two days in a 10 race series. The conditions were nail biting “Olson dingy sailing”. Winds were variable and/or blustery, often in and around moored container ships. The driver’s sheeting arm hurts, but what a great event and a fun port on both ends!

Upon entering the harbor of Avalon (after obtaining class line honors) the Ishiban crew was welcomed by none other than NYC members Kevin and Katie Millett (of the Olson 30 Kato) who are off cruising on their catamaran Kalewa! Good thing Jefferson had his bright green “Kato” shirt on or they may have fired on us! The Millets are having a great trip down “the coast”, having done Alaska, the San Juan Islands, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Catalina and soon the Baja Ha-Ha race 11/1-11/13 (from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico).  BTW they hit some HUGE speeds just north of Point Conception.

The Long Beach Yacht Club was VERY accommodating, welcoming and COVID conscious!

The LBYC dockmaster even helped hoist and de-rig the boat, so the Ishiban crew didn’t miss their flights! 

-J.T. Schoonover

Apologies for getting this posted so late – John