RACE REPORT FROM REAR COMMODORE OF SAIL COSCO CARLBOM MAY 10, 2008
7:00 AM driving past Maalaea Bay and it's looking like 15 knots already. Oh man that channel is going to be a thrill ...if we go.
7:45 AM Lahaina Harbor doesn't seem too bad. The skipper on the Lanai ferry says the channel doesn't look bad to him. Now I'm wondering if he is a sailor and that is a good size power boat he's driving.
8:00 AM at the skipper's meeting all are there and ready to go.
8:20 AM all the bbq stuff and extra gear get loaded on Coqette. They are going directly to Manele, taking extra gear and getting set up there. Thanks Aron and Patty.
8:45 AM the last boat of the fleet leaves Lahaina Harbor. All eyes are on the channel trying to see the wind there. The wind line is already at Mala. This is looking like it's going to be a ride. The race fleet assembles in the lee of Kekaa Point. All boats are ready, lined up and the race starts shortly after 10:00am.
On our boat (Snickers) about 5 minutes out the conversation went like this. "Hey we can carry a spinnaker in this." "Let's give it 10 minutes and see what happens." The wind and seas were off our starboard quarter. Seas were 6' +- ? and we were reading winds of 18 gusting to 24. YAHOO WHAT A RIDE. Catching some great waves.
About 3/4 of the way through the race the waves and wind came dead astern and we were running to the finish line. Some boats were getting 17+ knot rides! It was the kind of race that will make the sailors that were in it smile for a long time to come when they think of it. The rest of the trip to Manele Bay was typical. A blasting port beam reach to Kaumalapau. Then calm to Manele Bay.
At Manele Patty Hoffman was getting the bbq set up. And in no time the harbor was full of sailors walking around wearing grins like those of somebody who had just had a very very special experience. There was the usual swim at Hulopoe Beach, swapping stories, etc etc. Then the bbq. Patty basically took over bbq and kept that going. Thanks again Patty. If everyone didn't have a good time it was because they had a great time.
Here is the final results for the Maui - Lanai 19.4 nm race 5/10/08. Noa first place, Snickers first place, Boondoggle first place, Morning Missile first place! A four way tie for first place! How could anyone not be a winner after a sail like that? Technically it is impossible to score the race. The way point that was published as the finish line is on shore! To get a position to finish, as published, you would have had to been high and dry on land. ( editor's note: the self-reported finish times did not jive with the physical reality of the order in which boats finished the race. We do know this: Morning Missile creamed Boondoggle). As the rear commodore for the organizing authority, MBYC, I take responsibility for the SNAFU. Feel free to stone me the next time we meet. Hope the memory of that fantastic sail takes the edge off any bitterness of not getting a score.
The next race is LYC'S Lahaina Inshore on 5/25. Look for more info from Dano.
Aloha,
Cosco Carlbom
Rear Commodore , Maui Boat & Yacht Club
