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's Brewing, 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.