---

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 Ka

i 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