The Northeast wind was hitting 20+ knots and the Olson 30’s all had reefs in their mainsails for this 6.03 mile race with the course being B-A-D. The wahine skippers were in for a challenge!
Ozone had a good start at the pin end on starboard tack just a little ahead of Speedy and with Bonjolea II behind them. Fast Company did a loop around and started on port tack closer to the race committee and they were about 30 seconds late. After crossing the starting line Bonjolea II quickly tacked towards the breakwater. Fast Company, already heading in that direction, had to duck both Ozone and Speedy. As Ozone and Speedy got headed, Fast Company got lifted. And when all the boats tacked and met up again it was Fast company on starboard who had gained remarkably and now Ozone and Speedy had to duck Fast Company. And at the first mark rounding at the Kalapaki buoy it was Fast Company in the lead followed closely by Bonjolea II, and then Ozone and Speedy.
Upwind the very fast Sydney 36 Bonjolea II passed the smaller Olson 30 Fast Company to take the lead. And Bonjolea II rounded the Ninini Lighthouse buoy first, followed by Fast Company, Ozone and Speedy. The Olson 30’s were reluctant to use their spinnakers in the heavy air. Fast Company was the only one to try it a little later and they were noted to have a spinnaker wrap for awhile but they recovered okay without giving up any distance.
On the second lap out to the Ninini Lighthouse buoy the boat positions stayed the same. But at the rounding Ozone almost had a major disaster. Prior to the race crewman Thor Temme had noted significant chafe in the mainsheet where it is cleated while the boat sits at the dock. Owner Chris Jordan said he would fix it for the next race. But at the Ninini Lighthouse buoy rounding when the boom flopped over in the heavy air the mainsheet parted and the mainsheet was being lost. At the last minute Jordan grabbed the disappearing end and held it while the resourceful Thor Temme re-led the mainsheet while sailing downwind. Our hero Thor!
The third and final lap was to the Kalapaki buoy, G-7 and then G-11 by the Coast Guard Station before finishing by the race committee on the mole. And the boat positions during this lap stayed the same. And at the finish line it was Bonjolea II once again taking line honors and first place with Bonnie Tiffany on the helm. Lily Brionas Flynn did a fabulous job on the helm of Fast Company to take second place, less than a minute behind Bonjolea II on handicap time. Sj LeHoven on Ozone took third place and she got a real workout in the heavy air and with the mainsheet parting. Kristiina Chapman on Speedy rounded out the fleet.
The 5th and final race of the Wahine Series takes place on Thursday 7/18/24 with a 5pm start. The public is invited to watch the races from the Nawiliwili mole parking area where they can socialize with the race committee.
- Chris
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