NAWILIWILI — Winds to 20 knots worked their magic for the fleet of seven boats that plowed through the chop at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series, Race No. 1, Thursday. “Doug Gibson has a new wahine,” said Sharon Gibson,
NAWILIWILI — Winds to 20 knots worked their magic for the fleet of seven boats that plowed through the chop at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series, Race No. 1, Thursday.
“Doug Gibson has a new wahine,” said Sharon Gibson, the NYC scorekeeper. “Lindsey Vail is at the helm, today. She and her husband have been crewing with Doug for several weeks and during the Hanalei race, Doug let her handle the boat and was pleased with how she did, so now, she’s at the helm.”
But that did not bother Sharon who was perfectly content to watch the activity from the jetty wall along with a group of fishermen and other spectators.
Vail had the full-sailed Malihini under control from the onset, building up a lead over three boats at the start line.
Speedy, an Olson 30, appeared to be close to an over-early and tacked off at the buzzer, relinquishing her lead to Fast Company and Lelele while she regrouped in the chop.
Coming back from the Ninini Point turnaround, Malihini was clearly in the lead, chased by Fast Company, Lelele, Speedy, Papa‘au, Bonjolea and Coyote.
Malihini’s lead stood for the race, the 35-foot cat crossing the line on a 49:03 elapsed sail (50:17 PHRF) for the overall lead. She was followed by Fast Company (51:08 elapsed, 51:13 PHRF), Lelele (54:23 elapsed, 54:13 PHRF).
Speedy finished fourth overall on a 56:21 elapsed sail, but PHRF correction put her at fifth place on a 56:26 corrected time to Papa‘au’s 56:14 PHRF. Papa‘au finished fifth overall on a 58:45 elapsed sail.
Bonjolea (1:00:19 elapsed, 58:00 PHRF) and Coyote (1:09:04 elapsed, 1:04:41 PHRF) rounded out the field.
Sea Peterson was at the wheel of Fast Company that nailed the PHRF Monohull class while Bonnie Tiffany handled the wheel of Bonjolea that topped the Club class (50:08 Club).
Speedy (51:09 Club) and Coyote (53:54 Club) rounded out that division race.
The series continues Thursday and the public is invited to view the competition at no charge. The first flag flies at 5 p.m.
