Kato wins (but Weatherly steals the show)

The Rum Series Race #3 was held on 6/25/20 with lighter air out of the east at about 12 knots so that the big #1 sails were in use. The 3 lap A-D-A course over 5.91 miles was enjoyed by 9 boats (well, maybe only 8 if you asked Fast Company…). After a brief postponement by the race committee the race was started at 5:10 pm. It looked like Bonjolea II was forced over the starting line early by Speedy and they had to re-round the starting mark which cost them time. Fast Company was low on the starting line and they ended up tacking back early towards the breakwater ducking the other Olson 30’s and even the restarted Bonjolea II. But by doing this they later gained. Kato had a great start and essentially ran their own race way out in front. But it was Weatherly with their 6 junior sailors (who may have to be called the superior sailors now) who stole the show. They stayed out in front of Fast Company and Ozone the entire race, giving them fits. They looked flawless.

On the upwind leg out to the lighthouse buoy Fast Company tacked back towards the beach and on the tack back they gained so much that Ozone had to duck them. But when Weatherly came back on starboard tack both Ozone and Fast Company had to duck and this resulted in Fast Company being behind Ozone in bad air. So the wise Jim Saylor on the helm of Fast Company tacked out of the bad air back towards the beach. Ozone skipper Chris Jordan should have tacked to cover Fast Company but didn’t and again Fast Company got a nice lift off the beach such that at the lighthouse buoy he rounded in front of Ozone, Speedy and Papa Au, but still behind Weatherly.

At the downwind G-11 buoy mark rounding near the Coast Guard Station it looked like Fast Company had to go wide to give Bonjolea II room. This allowed Ozone to sneak in from behind for a good mark rounding to weather of the other boats. Ozone now passed Fast Company with her sights set on Weatherly, while Kato was still way out in front. At the upwind Kalapaki buoy Weatherly rounded in front of Bonjolea II. On the downwind leg to G-7 and G-11 Ozone didn’t run their
spinnaker and Fast Company again passed them. But on the upwind leg towards the mole, Ozone was able to pass Fast Company, continuing the battle.

At the downwind mark at G-11 Ozone had been gaining significantly on Weatherly until they had spinnaker problems with the pole being in the water and the jib unable to be trimmed so that they were quite slow. As Weatherly waved goodbye, Fast Company was coming on strong, but it was not quite enough.

At the finish line it was Kato easily taking first place and line honors. And it was Weatherly in second place with the six superior teenage sailors (and Uncle Carl and Auntie Elisabeth) who astounded the other Olson 30’s with their great crew work. The competition just got better! Ozone followed in third place and in an unusual 4th place position it was Fast Company (who has had a string of at least seven first place finishes). In Club Class it was Speedy in first, Bonjolea II in second and Papa au in third.

Iwa the Oceanis 41 had Pam on board and she took some great photos while up close in the thick of things. Charlotte as usual has great photos from the mole. All of these photos can be viewed in the Nawiliwili website gallery. There is no race this Thursday as on Friday 7/3/20 the offshore race to Hanalei is scheduled with the return race on Sunday 7/5/20. Both starts are 9 am. The picnic portion has been cancelled.

-Chris

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