The winds were strong for the Ken Martinez Commodore Series race #5, probably 20 out of the North. The Olson 30’s all had reefs in their mainsails except for Kato who has no reef points. It looked dicey...
Speedy was finally back in the water after their paint job and we were happy to have them racing. It was also nice to see Elizabeth Biuk back sailing and she was racing on Double Espresso. Carl Andersson’s Olson 30 Weatherly was still out of the water as they are working on their mast.
The start had Bonjolea II and Ozone on port tack by the race committee. Fast Company and Kato were at the pin end on starboard tack with rights. But when they met up it was the port tackers in the lead due to the very North wind. But later when tacking out of the harbor, it was Bonjolea II in the lead followed by Fast Company, Ozone and Kato. And that is the order in which they rounded the Ninini Lighthouse buoy.
It was so windy and gusty that none of the boats put up their spinnakers outside the harbor. But once back inside it was a little calmer and Ozone put up their green ounce and a half “chicken chute” for their spinnaker and this allowed them to pass Fast Company on the way to the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station. After rounding, Ozone’s skipper Chris Jordan thought the wind was so far North that they tacked very early towards the breakwater, which was a huge mistake. Fast Company and Kato kept going towards the mole and when the boats next crossed tacks, Fast Company had gained dramatically to be in front of Ozone and Kato just barely had to duck Ozone’s stern. Ozone’s skipper was kicking himself...
At the Kalapaki buoy it was Bonjolea II followed by Fast Company. But here Kato was also able to pass Ozone. Even with their spinnaker up Ozone was unable to gain any ground on the other boats. And in fact, Ozone lost more ground upwind. Kato, with full main and no spinnaker, was able to catch up to Fast Company and they were almost side by side as they rounded for the final upwind leg to the finish line. It was really a horse race!!! Bonjolea II crossed the finish line for line honors, but it was clear that on handicap they were not going to win. But in spite of the Ozone crew cheering Kato on, it was Fast Company who finished 2 seconds ahead of Kato so that they took first place and Kato took second. Wow! What a great race for Kato overpowered by their full main and without the use of their spinnaker. (Rumor has it that Kato’s skipper Kevin Millett brought in Andy Evans, Thor Temme, and Holly as his secret weapons for crew). Bonjolea II took 3rd place on handicap time after their previous 6 wins. They were followed by Ozone, Speedy and Double Espresso.
The 6th and final race of the Ken Martinez Commodore Series takes place on Thursday 3/14/24 with a 5 pm start. Even with one throwout race it looks like Bonjolea II has the series win locked up.
The public is invited to join the race committee on the Nawiliwili mole parking area to watch the races. Afterwards Mark Hubbard and Kristi will host a potluck dinner with an educational forum at the KSA clubhouse.
-Chris
Click for results and the RaceQs replay on the
Club Racing page.