PAPA AU WINS #9, BUT IT WASN’T EASY

The Gene Wells Race #9 was held on 10/10/19 in crazy light air. For the first time in over 16 years the starting pin was placed inside the harbor towards the cruise ship for an upwind start. The first lap went towards the mountain to the G-7 buoy over by the trimaran Meshach. In the incredibly light air, Papa Au was smart to hang out by the race committee and they got off to the best start. They were soon followed by Fast Company and then Ozone. Weatherly, Bonjolea II and Kato were more towards the pin end and they struggled in the light air to get across the starting line.

At the G-7 buoy it was Papa Au around first, followed by Ozone and Fast Company. Ozone found their own wind line and took the lead. Fast Company tried their spinnaker which at first seemed to slow them down amidst a traffic jam at the buoy, but eventually it got them boat speed and they passed Kato. Weatherly appeared to be doing well going along the breakwater and they seemed to be ahead of Kato and Fast Company until they parked it at the end of the breakwater, allowing the other two Olson 30’s to pass them. Somehow Bonjolea II came from out of nowhere rounding the buoy in 5th place but subsequently taking the lead, passing Ozone at the end of the breakwater. Bonjolea II then rounded the Ninini lighthouse buoy first followed by Ozone, Fast Company and Kato.

Boats that tried to use their spinnakers back to the Kalapaki buoy had problems as the wind was forward of the beam. Ozone just left their #1 jib up and they took back the lead. They rounded the Kalapaki buoy first followed by Bonjolea II, Papa Au, Fast Company and Kato. The race committee announced a shortening of the course in light air so that it was U-X and the W lap was dropped (good decision!). Now heading to the G11 buoy in by the Coast Guard station, the winds were even lighter and more flukey. The water looked like glass as wind lines were searched for. Multiple tacks here allowed Fast Company to pass Bonjolea II and to catch Ozone.

On the leg back to the Kalapaki buoy Fast Company used their spinnaker and they easily gained a lot of distance over Ozone who kept their jib up. Fast Company rounded the Kalapaki buoy with a substantial lead, followed by Bonjolea II and Ozone. But Fast Company went in close to the mole where they lost their air and parked it for awhile. They were finally able to get back out on starboard tack which paralleled the finish line and Ozone had to duck them. But Ozone had boat speed and when Fast Company tacked back to cover them and to head to the finish line it cost them some boat speed and Ozone finished 15 seconds ahead of them. In the meantime, Bonjolea II carried on to again take line honors and again surprising the fleet who thinks they do better in heavier air. But it was Papa Au who took first place overall, much to Ozone’s disappointment. With a handicap rating difference of 30 seconds a mile over the 3.26 mile race, Ozone thought that the almost 3 minute difference in time was enough. But because it is a time on time race and it took so long (an hour and 20 minutes) Papa Au claimed victory with a 37 second margin. Great work Papa crew!

So in the PHRF Class on corrected time Papa Au was first at 1:17:38, Ozone was second at 1:18:15 and Fast Company was third at 1:18:30. Bonjolea II was the next boat on corrected time and they took first in the club class. Unfortunately Kato, Weatherly and Speedy did not finish in the light air within the time limit. After 9 races and with one race to go it is close racing with Ozone leading the series having 13 points and Fast Company and Papa Au tied with 16 points (after the worst 2 throwout are included).

The 10th and last race of the Gene Wells Series will be held on Thursday 10/17/19 with a start time of 5 pm. The public is invited to watch the race from the Nawiliwili breakwater parking area.

-Chris Jordan

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