PAPA AU BLOWS THE FLEET AWAY IN GENE WELLS #5

Papa Au, the Express 27 helmed by Jeff Olson and the smallest boat in the fleet, aced the other 8 sailboats racing in the Gene Wells Race #5 on 9/12/19. A 6.23 mile course covering 3 laps was held in 12-14 knots of wind. Kato tried a port tack start that didn’t pay off. Ozone didn’t have a good start either compared to Fast Company who was high up on the pin end of the starting line. Bonjolea II with their longer waterline and speed jumped out into the lead and rounded the Ninini lighthouse buoy first. Fast Company and Kato battled into a light air hole over by the Kukui lighthouse allowing Ozone to close the distance. Kato and Ozone went back and forth with Kato coming out ahead. Fast Company had spinnaker takedown issues at the G-11 buoy that slowed them down. Ozone had Sylvio Fornari as its fifth crew member and he was celebrating his 8th birthday that day.

The results of the race showed Papa Au in first place overall in the PHRF Class with a corrected time of 1:08:25. Bonjolea II with skipper Bonnie Tiffany looked great throughout the race at times two legs ahead of the rest of the fleet. But although Bonjolea II crossed the finish line almost 6 minutes ahead of Papa Au, the crew had to settle for second place with a corrected time of 1:09:33 due to their handicap of 60 vs 126 for Papa Au (a 36 foot boat compared to a 27 footer). In third place was Fast Company with Jim Saylor on the helm with a time of 1:11:11.

In Club Class it was Iwa in first place with skipper Karen Cole, followed by a tie with Weatherly and Speedy each getting 2.5 points.

A Chinese food dinner was served by the crew of Ozone.

The 6th race of the Gene Wells Memorial Series will be held on 9/17/19. The public is invited to watch the races from the Nawiliwili mole parking area and to socialize with the race committee.

Click here for complete results on the racing page and more photos by Pam and Charlotte.

Photos by Pam and Charlotte