This past weekend we had the fourth in the Maui Race Series and were blessed with a little too much wind. The racers I talked to afterwards said that this was one of the toughest race days ever, with steady thirty knots most of the day and between one and two in the afternoon, gusts reached forty knots. There were crashes and falls that certainly resulted in some aching body parts later in the day.

       Elon Wong lays it down

MauiSails got some stand out results from Dr. Chris McNeil, our local dentist, who won the Waveboard Division using his Global 5.8, and Paulina Pease, who commutes from Oahu where she goes to school, who won the Junior Women. Nique Vetromile was second.

     Dr. Chris on his 5.8 Global

James Dinnis, the Carbon Art guru and National champ of New Zealand won a round in the 40-49 group, but found some tough local competition and finished the day just behind Elon Wong, who got third. Elon also had his best finish of the year in the afternoon Pro Division, getting into second place behind Kevin Ozee. Mike Yasak continues to control the Men's 50-59, easily winning there.

       Rick Whidden is showing good form

In Men's 19-29, Mark Boersma continues to improve and finished third. Rick Whidden, MauiSails International Sales Manager also showed he has some good stuff left in him yet, and hung on to finish the day even in the blasting conditions.

It was a great day for a wild race and I would suppose everyone is hoping that in two weeks when the State Championships are held it will be a bit more mellow and smooth. Congrats and thanks to all the people who continue to make this series of races among the best there is.