NAWILIWILI — OZone fouled Fast Company, and Fast Company appeared to foul OZone during the 10th and final race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Gene Wells Memorial Series that unfolded under 12-to-17-knot winds and a share of obstacles hindering the five-mile, two-lap course layout.
“OZone, with skipper Chris Jordan on the helm, fouled Fast Company badly at the start,” said Jordan, the NYC communicator. “Following their two penalty turns, OZone was in the back of the fleet and not a factor in the race. It’s a good thing the series has two throw outs.”
Papa A‘u was hoping this penalty would hurt Fast Company because the Express 27 was tied with Fast Company on points.
This did not materialize as Fast Company secured the lead and held off any challengers.
“Bonjolea II fouled Papa A‘u on a port-starboard situation,” Jordan said. “When they did their two penalty turns while heading out to the lighthouse buoy, Fast Company altered course and ducked them. Were they thinking that Bonjolea II was tacking onto starboard with right of way, or were they worried about hitting them? The RaceQs for this race is very interesting.”
During the start of the second lap, the Liquid Propane Gas tanker Pertusola made its way through the middle of the fleet, sending the boats into multiple tacks to avoid the bad air from the departing towering ship.
Fast Company went on to glide over the finish plane on a 1 hour, 3 minutes, 43 seconds elapsed sail, just six seconds ahead of Bonjolea II, and corrected to 1:04:07 PHRF for first place honors in the race where the series belonged to OZone on points despite the race winner.
Papa A‘u followed on a 1:06:38 elapsed sail and correcting to 1:05:09 PHRF for second place. Double Espresso filled in third on a 1:06:44 PHRF followed by Bonjolea II at 1:08.42 PHRF.
“OZone took first place in the series with 16 points,” Jordan said. “Fast Company was a close second, finishing with 17 points, and Papa A‘u with 18.5 points. The sailing in the 10-race series was tight, and the results could have been very different if helmsmen Jim Saylor on Fast Company, and Jeff Olson on Papa A‘u had not missed some of the races. Or, if Kato had done all of its races.”
The NYC Gene Wells Memorial Series marks the final race of the calendar year as the winter weather sets in with its change of swells and ocean conditions.
“The final race of the year is the Halloween Costume Race, Thursday,” Jordan said. “This is great fun with a short race in costume followed by dinner catered by Mark’s Place. Music will be provided by the famous DJ Chris Fink, brought in all the way from Asheville, North Carolina — OK, we were best friends in high school and his main job was in retail, but he does have his own radio show. Some may remember Chris Fink as the Tin Man aboard OZone about three years ago.”
The public is invited to watch the next race the Halloween Costume Race when the horns and flags sound off at 5 p.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
