NAWILIWILI — After leading through most of three laps, an error was the downfall of OZone as Fast Company slipped past the finish with a four-second lead, Thursday.
That tight competition started at the starting line when the pair of Olson 30’s jockeyed for position at the horn, with OZone getting the jump on Fast Company in the melee.
Sharon Gibson, hearing the commotion, checked for signs of red flags of protest.
But there were none, and coming in from the opening leg under spinnakers in 10-15 knot trades, OZone had the lead, challenged by Fast Company.
During the in-harbor course, both boats chose different tacks, OZone still maintaining the lead heading out for the final long course.
But all of that changed heading to the finish as Gibson said OZone rounded the G-11 can first with Fast Company on her tail.
Fast Company tacked toward the finish line shortly after rounding the mark while OZone continued to sail toward the berthed cruise ship instead of covering Fast Company’s move.
That delay was the margin of victory as Fast Company posted a one hour, one minute, 22 seconds elapsed sail to OZone’s one hour, one minute, 26 seconds. Following the PHRF correction, Fast Company was still ahead by four seconds at 1:01:28 to OZone’s 1:01:32.
Lelele, a Wells 30 getting strong gallery support throughout the race, finished third (1:04:38 elapsed, 1:04:26 PHRF) followed by Malihini, a 35-foot cat, crossing at 1:05:40 (1:07:19 PHRF).
Bonjolea, an X-342, made a good showing finishing ahead of four boats in spite of losing her job halyard about four boat lengths from the finish line, Gibson said. That finished stopped the clock at 1:13:18 elapsed (1:10:29 PHRF).
Papa‘au, in the thick of the race until the start of the second leg, finished at 1:18:48 elapsed (1:15.26 PHRF). Coming around the G-11 can, the crew aboard the Express 27 had trouble getting her spinnaker down, which cost the boat some time.
Speedy, the third Olson 30 in the fleet, crossed the finish ahead of Papa‘au with a 1:17:17 sail, but corrected to a PHRF 1:17:24. Coyote (1:23:04 elapsed, 1:17:48 PHRF) and Trinity (1:13:26 elapsed 1:23:36 PHRF) rounded out the fleet.
Sunday is the annual Nawiliwili Father’s Day Keiki Fishing Contest with registration starting at 10:30 a.m. at the NYC Clubhouse located at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. Fishing takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the awards ceremony to follow.
There is a registration fee, but anglers receive a hot dog and drink in addition to being eligible to submit catches that can earn them prizes contributed by community businesses and organizations.
Anglers need to supply their own fishing pole and bait.
On Thursday, the NYC Race Committee invites the public to view the competition in the NYC Junior Series, Race No. 4, the final race in the series, starting at 5 p.m.
“It’s sure nice to have some wind, again,” Gibson said.
