NAWILIWILI — Brisk, cold, biting winds had no effect on “Malihini,” a 35-foot catamaran skippered by Doug Gibson, at the opening race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Rum Series, Thursday afternoon.
In the face of the 10- to 20-knot winds blowing consistently out of the east-northeast, the NYC Race Committee opted for two long courses — out to the Ninini Point marker and back.
“Malihini” dominated the series from the onset, its longer hull and stable construction relishing the stronger winds as she plowed through the wind-generated caps on an elapsed sail of 49:20 and a corrected PHRF time of 50:35.
Following the leader, the field was made up of five 30-foot boats that criss-crossed the harbor and course as their respective skippers tacked for the best line.
“Fast Company,” an Olson 30 skippered by Jim Saylor, eked out a lead coming in from the first leg and maintained it through the remainder of the race, crossing the finish on an elapsed sail of 52:53 (52:58 PHRF) for second place.
“Papa‘au,” an Express 27 with Louie Abrams at the wheel filled in third on a 57:30 elapsed sail (55:03 PHRF) followed by “OZone,” an Olson 30 piloted by Chris Jordan (55:16 elapsed, 55:21 PHRF), “Lelele,” a Wells 30, (56:04 elapsed, 55:54 PHRF) and “Speedy,” an Olson 30 (56:47 elapsed, 56:52 PHRF).
With the completion of the first of seven races in the Rum Series, the NYC Race Committee invites the public to the second race of the series, Thursday from the vantage point of the jetty wall. First flags fly at 5 p.m.
On April 18, the NYC hosted the second of eight races in the Offshore Race Series with the first flags flying at 10 a.m.
That event coincides with the Earth Day cleanup of the harbor area co-sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation and the NYC starting at 9 a.m. Joining the two headliners, the Sierra Club, the United States Coast Guard and the state’s Division of Boating and Recreation will be lending assistance to the effort.
In a release from the Surfrider Foundation, volunteers are asked to bring sunscreen, hat and water. Trash bags and gloves will be provided with pupu, coffee and beverages available.
