The first of 6 races in the Rum Race Series was held on 3/21/24 with course A-A-E over 5.8 miles. This race had 2 laps out to the Ninini Lighthouse buoy and back to the G-11 buoy by the Coast Guard Station followed by an inside lap around the Kalapaki buoy and on to the G-11 buoy again before finishing. The wind was out of the North at about 13 knots. Rather than using their small #3 sail as usual, Ozone pulled their slightly larger 25 year old #2 sail out of storage and it seemed to work fairly well (many thanks to Jake Bernard for recommending this).
Fast Company once again had JT Schoonover helming and Double Espresso had Carl Andersson steering. The “speedy” Speedy with their new sails had Dick Olsen driving. And it was great to see Papa Au, the smaller Express 27, out and joining the race. Of course, everyone was gunning for Bonnie Tiffany on Bonjolea II who has been getting first place in almost every race lately.
Ozone and Double Espresso tried a port tack start. Earlier the wind looked like this start would get you out of the harbor. But it was not to be as the wind shifted and made it so that they had to duck Bonjolea II and Speedy who were on starboard tack. Speedy subsequently tacked to just clear the end of the breakwater to make it out of the harbor. And Bonjolea II in the lead also tacked out of the harbor a little further on.
Bonjolea II rounded the Ninini Lighthouse buoy in the lead, followed by Speedy and Ozone. Fast Company, Double Espresso and Papa Au followed. Downwind under spinnaker Ozone was able to pass Speedy to weather. Meanwhile, Double Espresso had some gear failure that slowed them down.
The fleet positions stayed pretty much the same as Bonjolea II once again took line honors and first place by 41 seconds over Ozone in second place. Speedy took third place, Fast Company 4th, Double Espresso 5th and Papa Au 6th.
The public is invited to watch the second Rum Series Race on Thursday 3/28/24 at the Nawiliwili mole parking area. There will be a 5 pm start.
- Chris
Click for results and the RaceQs replay on the
Club Racing page.