The Kauai Channel Race

1 ORGANIZING AUTHORITY

The Nawiliwili Yacht Club is the organizing authority for this race.

2 RULES

2.1-The race will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). US Sailing and Hawaii Yacht Racing Association (HYRA) prescriptions will apply.

2.2-The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Offshore Special Regulations 2008-2009 with US Sailing prescriptions for race category 4 will apply. Extracts from the ISAF Special Regulations and US Sailing prescriptions can be viewed at www.sailing.org and www.ussailing.org

3 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

3.1-The race is open to all boats over 21’ LOA. Classes include monohull and multihull.

3.2-Class divisions will be determined by the number of entries and will be announced after the close of entries.

3.3-Eligible boats may enter by completing the Entry Form and the Crew and Boat Information sheet, and sending them, together with the required fee, to NYC, P.O. Box 3661, Lihue, Kauai, HI by July 17, 2009.

3.4-Entries postmarked after July 17, 2009 will be charged a late penalty of $50.00.

4 FEES

4.1-Required fees are as follows:

Class Fee

All Classes $75.00

4.2-The entry fee includes up to two days of slip fees at Ko Olina Marina before the start and at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor after the finish (on a space available basis at both harbors).

4.3-If an entry is withdrawn prior to July 17, 2009, the entry fee will be refunded. After that date, no refunds will be made.

5 SCHEDULE

The scheduled time of the 5-minute warning signal for the first start is 0655 on Friday, July 31, 2009. The scheduled start is at 0700 hours.

6 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

The sailing instructions will be available at www.kauaichannelrace.com and will be included in the Skipper’s Race Packet to be distributed at the Ko Olina Crew Party, Thursday, July 30, 2009.

7 THE COURSE

The race will start off the harbor entrance of Ko Olina, Oahu and finish at Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai, Hawaii. The distance is 78 nautical miles.

8 SCORING

The Scoring System will be the Low Point system of RRS Appendix A. HYRA prescriptions will apply.

9 PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded at the Kauai Channel Race Awards Banquet to be held at the NYC clubhouse on Saturday, August 1, 2009. Perpetual trophies will be awarded for First Monohull to Finish – Elapsed Time, First Monohull to Finish – Corrected Time, First Multihull to Finish – Elapsed Time and First Multihull to Finish – Corrected Time. Class prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries.

10 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the race entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the race.

11 FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact:
NYC, P.O. Box 3661, Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766.
E-mail: info@nawiliwiliyachtclub. org.
Tel: 808-742-2512.

The 2008 Kauai Channel Race was a blast

Click here for race results. Click here for photos.

Click here for photos from Manu Kai. Click here for photos from Marty.

And a few more from Virginia Dunas.

Without doubt, the best one yet if for no other reason - there were 22 boats, exceeding last year's max of 15. Good thing the NYC clubhouse floor space has been expanded. We sure did need the additional room to accommodate the more than 130 folks who attended the Awards Party following the sumptuous prime rib dinner catered by Brennecke's. Pacific Sound Machine did not disappoint. They provided great dance tunes till the cops came to shut the party down. Hearty congratulations to Doug McClaflin (HYC) and the crew of HANA HOU. They were the first monohull to finish (elapsed time: 9:01:08) and will now be required to defend that perpetual trophy. Congratulations also to John Myhre (MBYC) and the crew of KAI MANA for taking 1st Place Corrected - PHRF A, and congratulations to Terry Wells (NYC) and crew of LELELE for taking 1st Place Corrected - PHRF B; the new defenders of the First Place Corrected Perpetual Trophy.
For the second year in a row, Andy Evans and crew aboard the 56 foot Aikane Catamaran MANU KAI competing in the "cruising class" was the first boat to arrive in Nawiliwili (elapsed time: 8:45:01) and pinned their name to the First Multihull To Finish trophy.
Nawiliwili Yacht Club thanks all of the wonderful participants of this year's event and extends an invitation to all to "hana hou" next year. By then you can expect to find hot showers and bathrooms at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club facility and maybe even a finished bar.

Boats Entered in the August 8, 2008 Kauai Channel Race

OWNER (Skipper) & BOAT	Boat Type
Marsh/Olson (Dick Olsen) / SPEEDY	Olson 30
Saylor/Wagner/Evslin/Raymond (Jim Saylor) / FAST COMPANY	Olson 30
Terry Wells / LELELE	Wells 30
Chris Jordan / OZONE	Olson 30
S&T LeHoven / MAPUANA	Wells 35
George Deane / HANA HOU	Norseman 45
Andy Evans / MANU KAI	Aikane Cat 56
Mark Denzer / COWABUNGA!!	Sanoma 30
Hal Halonquist / HENCE	Brewer Custom 35
Mark Logan / PUANANI	Beneteau 393
Dee Darby / PRIMA DONNA	Tripp 40
Wayne Millar / GINGERBREAD MAN	J-120
Dawson Jones / BLEW BY YOU	J-120
John Spadaro / BOOMERANG	Sydney 41
Gilman Budar / GERONTIUS	Farr 42
Kirk Leavy / 'AKA 'AKA	Catalina 42
John Myhre / KAI MANA	Farr 43
Mark van Niekerk / LIFE'S A DREAM	Shuttleworth Cat 47
Billy Moore / SPIRIT GUIDE	Maramu 53
Douglas McClaflin / HANA HOU	J-Boat 53
Bill Deucher (Steve Dunn) / VANESSA	Beneteau 62
Peter Johnson (Paul Reid) / MAITRI	J-Boat 65

The 2007 Kauai Channel Race went off with flying colors

Click here for results and here for pix.

By Dennis Fujimoto

Capt. Andy’s is not normally known for its racing skills, but the 56-foot catamaran “Manu Kai” skippered by Andy Evans reaped first-to-finish honors Friday. The Manu Kai was racing in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s O‘ahu Channel Race. “We were a little light going out,” said Louie Abrams, one of the crew aboard the Manu Kai, which crossed the Nawiliwili Harbor finish line in 8:19:38 elapsed time. “We might not have broken the record, but we didn’t break anything else,” Abrams said. Leaving Ko Olina at 7 a.m. Friday, the fleet of 15 boats navigated the O‘ahu to Kaua‘i channel, ending at the entrance to Nawiliwili Harbor. “They were racing in three different classes,” said Sharon Gibson, the NYC scorekeeper. “Once the adjusted times are applied, we’ll see where the boats end up.” The Manu Kai was the first to capture a special recognition award being the first multihull to finish. This award is presented based on elapsed time with no ratings applied. Second across the finish line was an NYC regular, the “Malihini,” a 35-foot catamaran captained by Doug Gibson. Both Kaua‘i boats took early leads from the onset and maintained their lead throughout the race. “We were light coming out, and the next thing you know, Doug was on our tail,” Abrams said. “We decided to break out the spinnaker, and we made good time. We hit some 20-knot winds that moved us along pretty good.” “Boomerang,” a Sydney 41 that pulled in first-to-finish honors in last year’s race, filled in the third berth, making the crossing in 8:43:39. That finish earned “First Monohull to Finish” honors based on elapsed time. “We saw the boats with their spinnakers up while we were flying over,” one of the Boomerang supporters said. “It was a pretty sight. This is our third year watching the races.” But she arrived long after Boomerang crossed the finish line and settled for cheering on the “Hoku Kai,” a Jeanneau 40, which filled in the 10th berth on a crossing of 11:12:09 elapsed. “Cowabunga,” racing in the Americap Class with owner/skipper Mark Denzer at the wheel, was presented first monohull honors based on PHRF corrected time of 9:37:28 (9:49:01 elapsed). Cowabunga was also the recipient of the PHRF B Class award based on her corrected time. “Siesta,” racing in the PHRF A Class with owner/skipper Curtis Collins at the wheel, earned its award on a corrected time of 9:50:37 (8:53:28 elapsed). Malihini was the recipient of first multihull honors based on corrected time, Doug Gibson’s crew stopping the clock at 9:02:59 PHRF. “Fast Company,” an Olson 30 racing for the NYC, filled in second (10:00:00 PHRF), followed by “Speedy,” another NYC Olson 30, at 10:45:11. “Mapuana,” a Wells 35, was third (10:51:11 PHRF) followed by “Hoku Kai” (11:16:19 PHRF) and “Colloquy” (12:36:01 PHRF). Following the race, everyone gathered for a post-race party Saturday night. “We plan to be around for a couple more years of racing,” Abrams said.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors Ko Olina Marina, Ko Olina Resort, King Auto Center

First Hawaiian Bank, Wal-Mart, Keoki Brewing and Hilo Hatties

The 2006 Kauai Channel Race was a Success! Click here for results and here for pix. An clear early morning heralded the much anticipated start of the 2006 Kauai Channel Race. The light wind conditions around the Ko Olina Marina made for a picturesque beginning as most boats flew their spinnakers right from the get go. Rear Commodore Dick Olsen started the race at 7 a.m. from a committee boat just outside the harbor. The race conditions were very mild for approximately the 4 hours it took for the boats to reach the wind line past the Wai'anae Coast but then quickly ramped up to gusty trades with winds occasionally in excess of 30 knots. That made for the traditional smoking sleigh ride the Kauai Channel Race is known for. Boomerang was the first boat to cross the line (4:59:31 p.m.) with an elapsed time of 9:59:31. Hailing from the Hawaii Yacht Club, Boomerang was skippered by owner John Spadaro. The first Multihull to cross the line (6:02:15 p.m.) was Malihini skippered by owner Doug Gibson. This race featured 7 participants and every boat got a trophy. The two perpetual trophies dedicated to the first multihull and the first monohull to cross the finish line will bear the names Malihini and Boomerang respectively for the 2006 race. This was NYC's third Channel Race from Ko Olina. The 78 mile race was co-sponsored by Ko Olina Resort and Marina. Additional sponsors include Keoki Brewing Company, Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Real Estate and Sabella's at Princeville.
The results for the monohulls are divided into two divisions: PHRF and Americap. The times are as follows (time is the corrected time based on the boat's rating in the respective division). In the PHRF division 1. Eau De Vie (Skippered by Timothy Dick, Hawaii Yacht Club) 11:57:39, 2. Hoku Kai (Skippered by Charles Cotton, Kaneohe Yacht Club) 12:13:41, 3. Jacaré (Skippered by Tony Snodgrass, Iriquois Lagoon Yacht Club) 12:42:22. In the Americap division 1. Boomerang (Skippered by John Spadaro, HYC) 9:40:56, 2. Siesta (Skippered by Curtis Collins, HYC) 9:43:32, 3. Vanessa (Skippered by Bill Deuchar/Steve Dunn, Waikiki Yacht Club) 10:24:54. In the PHRF Multihull division and first multihull to finish 1. Malihini (Skippered by Doug Gibson, Nawiliwili Yacht Club) 11:59:50.

Aprés race festivities commenced the following day at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club clubhouse. Over 120 people attended the boisterous party which included a boat rescue and a visit from the Kauai Police Department. The food from Joe's on the Green was delicious as always and the butt kickin' sounds of Groove Daddies kept people on their feet till the late evening. A big mahalo to Keoki's for donating the kegs of delicious brew. A huge mahalo to the hearty volunteers who planned and executed a flawless race and party and thanks to the boats that participated. Kudos to Dick and Tim for the pictures. This just in . . .the folks from Siesta sent us a link to their shots of the KCR. Click here to check 'em out.

The 2005 Kauai Channel Race went off! A great race with phenomenal conditions . . . click on the picture to the left for the story in pictures. Special thanks to Tonya and Marty for the shots. Click here for results.
The Nawiliwili Yacht Club's second Kauai Channel Race from Ko Olina, Oahu to Nawiliwili, Kauai was a great success. The sailors began the 78 mile race at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 14th. Before the race began the racers gathered at Ko Olina Marina to share a meal and talk story. The NE winds were steady throughout the clear star-filled night and ranged from 10 to 25 knots in the channel.

Malihini, skippered by Doug Gibson of NYC, was the first multihull to cross the finish line at 2:51:45 a.m. The first monohull to cross the line was Maitri from the Kaneohe Yacht Club (4:32:12 a.m.) and was skippered by Paul Reid with owner Peter Johnson aboard as crew.

Two new perpetual trophies dedicated to the first multihull and the first monohull to cross the finish line will bear the names Malihini and Maitri respectively for the 2005 race. A perpetual trophy for each the multihulls and the monohulls will display the name of the first multihull and the first monohull to finish in the PHRF division.

The results for the multihulls are as follows (time is the corrected time based on the boat's rating):
1. Malihini 9:37:59 and 2. Honokai (Skippered by Jim Bartch from Oahu) 10:58:23.

The results for the monohulls are divided into two divisions: PHRF and Club. The times are as follows (time is the corrected time based on the boat's rating in the respective division). In the PHRF division 1. Eau De Vie (Skippered by Timothy Dick, Hawaii Yacht Club) 11:30:22, 2. Mapuana (Skippered by Tony LeHoven, NYC) 11:36:07, 3. Speedy (Skippered by Havilland Wright, NYC) 12:16:02.

In the Club division 1. Coyote (Skippered by Woodie and Karen Cole, NYC) 11:14:11, 2. Maitri (Skippered by Paul Reid, KYC) 11:53:25 and 3. Colloquy (Skippered by John Willeford, NYC) 12:25:05.

An exciting awards party took place Saturday evening after the race at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club featuring a full dinner catered by Joe's On The Green, Kauai brewed beer donated by Keoki Brewing Company and live music by Tongue and Groove Band. This was the second year for the 78 mile race from Ko Olina, Oahu to Nawiliwili, Kauai and was co-sponsored by Ko Olina Resort and Marina. The Nawiliwili Yacht Club has sponsored 13 previous channel races which started from the Ala Wai rather than Ko Olina.

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