NAWILIWILI — OZone dogged the 36-foot Sydney 36 to finally eke out a win during the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Gene Wells Memorial Series, Race No. 3 that was held on the wind-swept waters of Nawiliwili Harbor.
Racing in 12-knot winds blowing out of the northeast, four boats participated in the race that included three laps over a 6-mile course with OZone getting the best start.
“OZone had their small No. 3 headsail up and they were pleased that they could point upwind almost as well as Bonjolea II,” said Chris Jordan, who skippered OZone. “They tried to cover and stay in front of Bonjolea II, tack for tack.”
That resulted in a seesaw for the lead position. Under race conditions, a smiliar race for third place developed between Double Espresso and Speedy, a pair of Olson 30s.
The maneuver also had OZone rounding the Ninini Point buoy ahead of Bonjolea II during the first of two roundings. A battle for the lead developed inland in waters off the G-11 buoy.
“When the two boats met up again, it was so close that OZone decided to lee bow Bonjolea II rather than to duck them,” Jordan said. “The two boats were side by side, but Bonjolea II gained enough to give OZone bad air.”
On the second leg to the Ninini Point turnaround, Bonjolea II gained and rounded in the lead, using the wind to widen the gap heading downwind to the Kalapaki Buoy.
Bonjolea II took line honors with a 1 hour, three minutes, 15 seconds sail followed by OZone sounding the finish horn with a 1:04:31 elapsed time.
“But with their handicap, it was OZone finishing in first place by two minutes and 27 seconds over Bonjolea II,” Jordan said. “Speedy took third place after battling with Double Espresso that finished 43 seconds behind them.”
The next race takes place on Thursday, when the first flags fly at 5 p.m. at Nawiliwili Harbor.
