NAWILIWILI — Tactical miscues proved costly to both Fast Company and OZone during the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Gene Wells Memorial Series Race No. 3 that unfolded in 12- to 17-knot winds blowing in from the east Thursday.
The mistakes shot Papa A‘u from its fighting-for-third spot into the winner’s circle, leaving Fast Company and OZone to wrangle for the second and third slots.
“We were in the right position,” said Michael Curtis, a Papa A‘u crew member. “Fast Company and OZone both had to tack, but we were in line for the buoy and were able to pick up some good time.”
Fast Company capitalized on an early start infraction by Double Espresso that gave Jim Saylor a lead that he held on to through most of the race.
“Downwind on the first of two outbound legs, OZone was able to pass Weatherly inside the breakwater, but OZone put a 5-inch tear in its spinnaker so they had to be very careful,” said Chris Jordan, the OZone skipper. “OZone’s skipper could be heard yelling words that he undoubtedly learned from Jim Saylor.”
“On the way to the Kalapaki buoy on the last lap, Fast Company, Weatherly and OZone way over stood, and though they rounded in that order, it allowed Papa A‘u to catch way up,” Jordan said. “On the downwind leg to the G-11 buoy, OZone caught up with Fast Company, with both boats on port tack. As the leeward boat with rights, Saylor called for OZone to come up. But it was a very hairy moment as OZone tried to clear an anchored catamaran which the foredeck said OZone missed by inches. Meanwhile, Weatherly was appropriately upset, as they had to dramatically alter course for OZone, who was trying to stay clear of the obstruction,” he said.
Fast Company capitalized as both boats went around the anchored catamaran, and increased its lead.
“On the upwind leg to the finish line, OZone let Weatherly know that they had been protested by a starboard tack boat with rights (I believe it was Speedy) who had to avoid them going upwind while Weatherly was on port tack going downwind,” Jordan said. “Weatherly did its two-penalty turns and watched as Papa A‘u passed them.”
Fast Company took line honors on an elapsed sail of 1 hour, 10 minutes, 32 seconds, but it was Papa A‘u (1:11:40 elapsed sail) that took the race on a corrected 1:08:55 PHRF over Fast Company (1:10:55 PHRF) chased by OZone (1:10:51 elapsed) at 1:11:17 PHRF.
Weatherly, sounding the finish horn on a 1:12:09 elapsed sail, corrected to 1:07:11 Club for top honors in that class, just 21 ticks ahead of Speedy (1:17:05 elapsed), which corrected to 1:07:32 Club.
The fourth race of the NYC Gene Wells Series takes place Thursday when the first flags fly at 5 p.m. at the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty parking area.
“The after-race Kaua‘i Sailing Association community talk and dinner is still on hold due to the virus,” Jordan said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
