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The Kauai Channel Race, KCR, was started by the now-defunct Hanalei Bay Yacht Club in 1973 as the Honolulu to Hanalei race. In 1978, the Nawiliwili Yacht Club, NYC, was started and became a co-sponsor of the race. In 1983, NYC became a full sponsor when the Hanalei Bay Yacht Club closed its doors. So, this race has been run almost every year for about 51 years. NYC and the Kauai Sailing Association, KSA, hosted the race this year. Sponsors included Kaneohe Yacht Club, KYC, Hanalei Spirits, and Art Nelson Sailmaker. The approximately 100-mile racecourse originally had its starting line on the south side of Oahu, either Ko’olina Harbor or the Ala’wai Marina. For the last ten years, the race has been co-sponsored by KYC and started at the K Buoy, at the northwest end of Kaneohe Bay, where the main shipping channel starts. The race is one of the few actual downwind races conducted in Hawaii. It involves approximately 100 miles of open ocean with spinnakers flying most of the way. This year, 15 boats entered the race: three from the WYC, one from the Hawaii Yacht Club, HYC, seven from KYC, and four from NYC. The race conditions were beautiful, with 3-4 seas, 13-15 kt winds, and mostly clear skies.

The race started at 7 am at the K Buoy. Race officials from Kaneohe Yacht Club conducted it, and the start was clean with no early overs. Bonjolea II, the Sydney 36 from NYC, was first over the start line, followed very closely by Wasabi, a Sydney 41 from WYC. Wasabi was soon ahead of Bonjolea II. Then Locomotion II, a TP52 from WYC, and Dragon Fly, a Formula 40 Catamaran from NYC, rocketed into the lead and were quickly far ahead of the pack. Bonjolea II switched from their #1 Jib to a Code 0 headsail. The pack of boats split soon after, with many heading on a more northwesterly route in search of heavier winds. Bonjolea II put up their A2.5 combination Reacher/Runner Spinnaker and their Spinnaker Staysail and continued with the rest, basically hugging the coast of Oahu until they reached Kahuku Pt, the northernmost point on Oahu. Several boats turned to the southwest, hoping to get a lift as they sailed towards Kaena Pt.

Bonjolea II put up their A2 downwind spinnaker and, in combination with their Spinnaker Staysail, plotted a course that went more or less straight across the channel towards Kauai, with the finish line at the entrance to the harbor in Nawiliwili Bay. Soon, the remaining boats turned towards Kauai, and a slow convergence began towards Nawiliwili Bay.

Sleeping Dragon, a Hobie 33 from KYC, gradually caught up and passed Bonjolea II in pursuit of Wasabi. Stardust, a Wylie 46 from WYC, was going a bit faster than Bonjolea II and inched past about 2/3 of the way across the channel. Then, they proceeded in a more WNW direction towards Anahola. Interestingly, 12-13 of the boats were always in sight of each other for the entire race, indicating how close the race would be. Bonjolea II continued towards Nawailwili Bay. Soon Bravura, a Farr 44, from HYC, and Flying Tiger, the other Hobie 33 from KYC, came slowly up from the south, and Le’ale’a, a J100, came down from the north. 4-5 miles out, Stardust gybed and started down the Kauai coast at a fast clip.

Rear Commodore Hu Mast and Race Official Stevie Mast staffed the finish line for hours until all the boats crossed the finish line. Charlotte Ross was the race photographer and took some great shots of the boats crossing the finish line.

Dragonfly, the Formula 40 cat, was first across the finish line at 2:57:23, and Locomotion 2, the TP52, crossed next an hour later at 3:56:05. Neither boat had a correction factor. Dragonfly won 1st Boat to Finish (Perpetual Trophy) and 1st to Finish Multihull. Locomotion Won the 1st to Finish Monohull (Perpetual Trophy). Wasabi crossed third at 5:58:23, with a corrected time of 9:47:24, and took Second Place in the X class. She was followed by Sleeping Dragon, who crossed fourth at 6:04:02, with a corrected time of 9:44:50, besting Wasabi and taking 1st Place in the X class. Flying Tiger crossed at 6:31:56 for a corrected time of 9:56:16, taking 3rd Place in the X class. Bravura crossed 5th at 6:21:47, for a corrected time of 9:23:16, and took second place in the A-Class. Stardust gybed in front of Le’ale’a a mile from Ninini Pt. Lighthouse buoy and finished 6th at 6:29:04, for a corrected time of 10:13:38, taking 4th in the X Class, followed by Le’ale’a in 7th crossing at 6:29:59, for a corrected time of 9:22:16, taking 1st Place in the A class. Twenty-one seconds later, Bonjolea II crossed, finishing at 6:30:20, for a corrected time of 9:11:21, and 1st Place in the B Class. The last boat finished at 7:04:33, showing how close a race this was. In the end, however, after the corrections were applied, Bonjolea II won their B class and corrected out ahead of the 13 other monohulls to garner the coveted 1st Place Corrected—Monohull and a spot on that Perpetual Trophy.

Hamburgers, Yacht Dogs, and refreshments were served until about 10 p.m. when all the sailors retired to get some much-deserved rest on their yachts or in local hotels.

A delicious Saturday morning Brunch was served, with Eggs and Ham cooked by Staff Commodore Fred Styer and John Underwood. Vice Commodore Bonnie Tiffany served her Baked Oatmeal with butter, craisins, maple syrup, and her delicious bran muffins. Kristin Hebbard and Astrid Andersson poured the refreshments. An excellent slide presentation of all the boats crossing was prepared by Charlotte Ross and played on a loop for the entire morning, entertaining all and reminding them of the fantastic race they had enjoyed. Each skipper received a special participation gift. Then, Rear Commodore Hu Mast announced the results, and Commodore Doug Tiffany presented the skipper's trophies.

Special thanks go to all the NYC and KSA volunteers who made this race happen, especially Lois Andersson, NYC Secretary, who chaired the KCR Planning Committee.