Under sun-drenched banners from primary sponsors SeaLand, and Eagle Hardware, teams of ten members labored to build their craft, which ranged from Ala Wai Marine’s catamaran to the more common monohulls that were constructed by most of the other teams.

Notable in the competition was West Marine, this year’s winner for the best in design, whom the crowd from last year felt should also have won in the “most improved” category, had there been one. They were assisted by a crew member (Duncan) from TransPac’s Willow Wind, the only Cal 40 entered in the race.

Also notable was the Waikiki Yacht Club team, which sat around on a picnic table in a nonchalant manner till team leader Arthur May showed up to spur them into action. Despite their late start, they did finish early, and retired to the Club to recuperate prior to returning for the race.

Team Lyman, under the able direction of last year’s winning team leader Dave Lyman, built a wonderful boat, a veritable masterpiece. But, alas, Dave forgot his ti leaves this year, and with no ti leaf chant over this years entry, they did not place.

The Brookins Boatworks gang, called Team Friday, was also present. Despite the lack of the cadence of the Dr. Harrison’s sea chantys that characterized them last year, they also finished early, and retired to the Waikiki Yacht Club for hamburgers and cool soft drinks. Team Friday also was notable for having three people on their team over the age of seventy. They were Robert Armstrong, John Yokomoto, and his wife Winnie.

The Hawaii Women’s Yacht Racing Association (HWYRA) and a team called DA BOSS put in stellar performances, and lots of local color, as some of the entrant/builders got more caulking compound on themselves rather than on their entry boats.

On this particular Friday, High Noon brought with it no Gary Cooper, but a showdown on the Ala Wai, as the boats were placed on the Swamp. The event was started, and to the absolute surprise of spectators from previous years, NO BOAT SANK. All of them completed the triangular race course, with the finishers roster looking like this:

Best in design: West Marine
First to finish: Team Friday aka Brookins Boatworks
People’s Choice: Da Boss

Notable in the race was the Waikiki Yacht Club’s entry, which finished second overall in the race, as it was crewed by our own Erin Lang and Tina Pryne, products of WYC’s Junior Sailing Program.

Another youth involved in the race was the victorious ten year old helmswoman of the Team Friday entry, Ms. Jessica Brookins, teamed with Koel Maruame

Congrats to all involved. It was a great event for a great cause, and all of you are winners.