Papa‘au captures NYC Wahine series over Fast Company challenge

Fast Company took advantage of near-perfect sailing conditions to chip out a good lead over the eight-boat flotilla in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series final race Thursday.

But sailing in winds of 5 to 15 knots out of the northeast, the Olson 30 breezed across the 4.51-mile cours in an elapsed sail of 55:29.

The lead was not enough because after correcting out to a 55:34 PHRF, Papa‘au, crossing the line on a 57:13 elapsed sail in the No. 2 spot, corrected to 54:46 PHRF, slipping past Fast Company for the top honor.

Tied in the standings with OZone entering the Thursday race, Papa‘au broke the deadlock and was awarded the series after OZone settled in the No. 3 spot for the Thursday race, crossing the line on a 57:35 elapsed sail, just about 20 seconds behind Papa‘au, and corrected to 57:40 PHRF.

Bonjolea, with Bonnie Tiffany at the wheel, moved through the line on a 1:00:05 elapsed sail and corrected to 57:46 PHRF and 50:12 Club, being awarded her third straight Club top honor.

Bonjolea claimed the Club class for the series with its sweep over three races.

Weatherly, the fourth Olson 30 to join the NYC fleet, filled in the No. 5 spot on a 59:15 elapsed sail, correcting to 59:20 PHRF followed by Speedy (59:56 elapsed, 1:00:02 PHRF), Coyote (1:05:57 elapsed, 1:01:46 PHRF) and Maeva (1:00:30 elapsed, 1:03:32 PHRF).

Six of the NYC fleet left Nawiliwili Saturday, bound for a weekend layover at Hanalei before returning Monday afternoon in the final Offshore Series.

The public is invited to view the start of the Gene Wells Memorial Series, Race No. 1 on Sept. 13 when the first flags fly at 5 p.m. at the Nawiliwili Harbor.

For more information visit www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org.

•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.