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.