NYC Spring Shakedown Series starts with Kona winds

Kona winds and bright skies welcomed the 10 boats racing in the first race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Spring Shakedown Series. Skippers and crew were eager to meet the challenges of the 3.5 mile race course after downtime of the winter months.

Moments before the start, a tight pack of boats formed at the Race Committee side of the start line, and at the moment the start horn sounded, it was Fast Company that darted out in the lead. OZone followed closely behind with the rest of the fleet accelerating in her wake. The crews enjoyed perfect sailing conditions – warm, breezy Kona winds and flat seas.

The series is named Spring Shakedown for one reason – it’s an opportunity for crews and skippers alike to test out their equipment, and as a review for sail handling. And so it went some crews having to deal with tangled lines and crossed up sheets as they setup for the first spinnaker run. The fleet quickly sorted things out, and soon there were colorful spinnakers pulling the racers out to the lighthouse buoy.

OZone managed to take the lead as they made the rounding at the buoy, and her superior upwind speed kept her in the lead as they sailed back into the harbor. After completing the final legs of the race, it was OZone finishing first with a corrected time of 43:51. Fast Company finished second with a corrected time of 45:18, and Kato finished third with a corrected time of 45:50.

Club Class honors went to Trinity with a corrected time of 43:11 with Speedy taking second place with a corrected time of 44:27, and Lelele taking third place with a time of 44:45.

The six-race Spring Shakedown Series continues Thursday and all are invited to view the competition with the NYC Race Committee from the jetty wall area of the Nawiliwili Harbor when first flags fly at 5 p.m.

Kevin Arndt – Commodore

Click here for results and more photos by Pam Zirker and Charlotte Ross