The course was E-E-A with an inside lap around the Kalapaki Buoy and 2 outside laps around the Ninini Lighthouse Buoy with all downwind legs going around the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station. The wind was 17 knots out of the East. The course distance was 5.8 miles. The start was clearly favored for starboard tack with a straight shot to the Kalapaki Buoy. Ozone had a good start and rounded the Kalapaki buoy in the lead, closely followed by Bonjolea II. Speedy, Fast Company and Double Espresso were in the race but without RaceQ’s on the computer I can’t comment on their battles.
At a little after 5:30pm the cruise ship left which messed up the fleet somewhat. Bonjolea II stayed out of the way by heading in towards Kalapaki beach on the upwind leg, but Ozone stayed in the middle which payed off as the cruise ship was slow and Ozone could stay ahead of them. On approaching the Kukui Lighthouse rocks Ozone tacked out of the harbor gaining on Bonjolea II by having stayed in the middle.
Downwind under spinnaker Ozone had a good run and when in the harbor they went dead downwind to the G-11 buoy while Bonjolea II reached up for speed and then gybed back which is their fast point of sail. By going the shorter distance on the last lap Ozone gained more and was inside boat at the G-11 mark and rounded just in front of Bonjolea II. When Bonjolea II tacked towards the somewhat unusual G-7 finish line, Ozone tacked to cover them. And when Bonjolea II started passing Ozone they wanted to take Ozone up to weather. Ozone’s skipper said something as he thought rule 17 might apply, but it might not have. (If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within 2 hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course). Bonjolea II didn’t push the issue.
It was a horse race to the finish line and Bonjolea II subsequently pulled away and crossed the finish line taking line honors 9 seconds ahead of Ozone. But on handicap time Ozone took first place at 1:07:46 with Speedy taking second at 1:10:36 and Bonjolea II took third place at 1:11:35. Fast Company was next and Double Espresso followed.
There will be another Rum Series Race on Thursday 5/2/24 with a 5pm start. The public is invited to watch the races from the Nawiliwili mole parking area.
-Chris
Click the link for results and the RaceQs replay on the
Club Racing page.