The dreary rain finally stopped just before the race, but the wind was only 3-8 knots out of the North. The conditions were just like sailing in Seattle. The short 3.11 mile course was D-E-E with all 3 laps inside the harbor due to the light air.
The start favored a port tack by the race committee and that is where Ozone and Bonjolea II started. Speedy started on starboard tack by the pin end which was the G-5 buoy. But they had to duck Ozone shortly after the start. Double Espresso ran the line on port tack and near the pin end tacked onto starboard. Double Espresso had Evan on the helm racing with only two other young Kauai Sailing Association sailors. That’s the spirit!
Ozone took the lead and just beyond the end of the breakwater they tacked onto port heading towards the Kalapaki buoy which they rounded first. Bonjolea II closely followed and then Speedy and Double Espresso. Downwind under spinnaker the boats headed to G-7 and then to G-11 by the Coast Guard Station.
Heading back upwind Bonjolea II tacked earlier than Ozone and when the fast Sydney 36 tacked back on to starboard at the breakwater they took the lead as Ozone had to duck them. Both boats had to do multiple tacks to get around the Kalapaki buoy and Ozone took a short lead once again as the two boats rounded. Bonjolea II reached up high towards the breakwater as this is a fast point of sail for them while Ozone stayed low with their spinnaker pole way back perpendicular to the boat going almost by the lee. This lower and slower course paid off for Ozone as they had a shorter distance to travel.
The next leg around the Kalapaki Buoy and on to G-7 and the finish line had the fleet in the same order. And at the finish line it was Ozone taking line honors and first place with a PHRF corrected time of 49:59. Bonjolea II took second place with a time of 58:00 and Speedy took third place with a time of 1:01:46. Double Espresso with their intrepid crew of 3 people who still flew their spinnaker came in at 1:08:30.
There is no race next Thursday 5/23/24 as the Hanalei Race will take place on Saturday 5/25/24 over Memorial weekend. The third of the four races in the Invitational Series will take place on Thursday 5/30/24. Don’t forget to bring a guest!
-Chris
Click the link for complete results and the RaceQs replay on the
Club Racing page.