Dennis Fujimoto
the garden island
NAWILIWILI — Fast Company slipped from first to third over the course of two laps and relied on her points lead to capture top honors in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Gene Wells Memorial Series, Thursday during the final race of the series.
Coming off the line in six to 12-knot winds out of the north-northeast, Fast Company was not first, but was in good position to eke out the lead, overtaking Lelele who was poised for the starting horn.
Fast Company, with Jim Saylor at the stick, stuck in the lead coming in from the Ninini Point turn and held on heading to the far G-11 marker, fully aware of what was taking place behind her.
Lelele, a Wells 30, after relinquishing its lead spot at the starting horn, worked the wind masterfully, pulling into third place over Speedy on the inside course heading to the G-11 can.
Throughout this jockeying, OZone, with Chris Jordan at the stick, stayed with Fast Company, slowly closing the gap between the first place boat.
Everything changed at the R-2 turn out in the Kalapaki Bay when Fast Company and OZone headed to the can neck and neck, spectators glued to the tight turn between the two boats.
OZone, on the inside track, cut tight on the can, gaining advantage and overtaking Fast Company who struggled with its spinnaker on the downwind leg.
Under a billowing spinnaker, OZone commanded the lead position while Fast Company struggled to get wind in its chute, falling victim to Lelele on the cross-bay run.
At the finish, OZone crossed first overall on a 42:41 elapsed sail and corrected to 42:45 PHRF for overall honors. She was followed by Lelele who held onto the No. 2 spot on a 43:29 elapsed sail, correcting to 43:21 PHRF. Fast Company crossed third overall with a 44:04 elapsed sail, correcting to 44:08 PHRF.
Despite the third place finish, Fast Company had accumulated enough of a points lead to take the overall series with nine points despite the third place finish.
OZone, throwing out its 10th finish in the opening race, finished with 11 points and second place.
Papa‘au, finishing fifth overall on a 47:46 elapsed and correcting to 45:44 PHRF, maintained its fourth place in the standings, finishing with 18 points.
Lelele, boosted by its second finish, Thursday, improved to 18 points for fifth place.
Speedy, jumping to third place at the start, finished fourth overall on a 47:44 elapsed sail, just two seconds ahead of Papa‘au, but corrected to 47:48 PHRF for fifth place in the race. That placed her fifth in the standings as well, the Olson 30 ending with 29 points.
Bonjolea, described by a young toddler as “big boat, big boat,” crossed on a 49:40 elapsed sail, correcting to 47:45 PHRF and 41:30 Club for top honors in that class.
Bonjolea finished sixth in the Open standings with 35 points and first in the Club Open class with 19 points.
Mapuana, the only Gene Wells boat in the series which honors the designer and builder of wooden boats, many of which were built on Kaua‘i, finished the series seventh with 38 points, despite its finish on a 53:46 elapsed sail and 51:10 PHRF correction.
Coyote, finishing on a 54:30 elapsed sail and correcting to 51:03 PHRF, finished the series with 43 points followed by the F-24 trimaran who did not compete and Trinity, an F-28 trimaran, finishing on a 53:36 elapsed sail and correcting to 1:01:01 PHRF ended the series with 57 points.
The Wells Series completes the NYC racing calendar for the 2011 year.
However, the public is invited to view the annual Halloween race which will feature an in-harbor course, Sunday with the first flags flying at 5 p.m.
Spectators will help decide the winner of the Best Boat Costume theme which will be announced at the Halloween party following the race.
Visit www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
