The final Maui County Race series event took place last Saturday at Kanaha beach park, it was the Maui Fin Company Open and it was looking like a light wind day but just enough to race.

In the morning races McGain won all his heats in the 40-49 age group with Kevin Ozee sailing well in second and Alex Aguera in third place. McGain using his TR4 7.0 had perfect starts and was able to hold off strong challenges from Kevin Ozee who was relishing in the light conditions.

In the afternoon the Pro division again was hotly contested with the usual crowd of Bijl, Ozee, Peter Slate, Alex, Elon Wong, Peter John and the visitor from downunder Chris Lockwood.


The wind remained light for the afternoon so starting was crucial at times in the non planning conditions, which existed in the pre start area. Most the conditions all season had been strong winds so it meant sailors had to adjust to the light wind and be up on the line or they would get caught late and not be able to be with the leaders at the first bouy.

Pieter Bijl was carrying a 7.2m sail and had plenty of speed in the light winds as did Peter Slate and Kevin Ozee who had been sailing well all day. With the first heat underway it was Bijl and McGain heading to the first bouy side by side, but McGain had the advantage with the inside overlap and rounded the bouy in first place. McGain was able to hang on to win and make a statement for the rest of the day. The thunder from downunder Chris Lockwood, made his mark on the race series by moving his way through the fleet to finish in second in this heat.

In the Second heat it was again McGain who hit the line perfectly with full speed and lead all the way round the course, with Pieter Bijl pulling through in second and Peter Slate sailing well in third.


The wind started to get light and it looked like only one more race would be held in the dying breeze. As the sailors headed out to the start the wind got lighter and at times the sailors had trouble planning. The start got underway with McGain and Bijl flying off the line, but Bijl this time had a better line around the bouy with McGain coming out under Bijl’s cover and was passed by Mark Boersma and Peter Slate before the next bouy. Bijl went on to win the heat followed by Mark Boersma, with Slate finishing strong in third.

McGain had enough points to win the Pro Division with Pieter Bijl in second and Elon Wong sailing consistently in third place.

Other Maui Sails sailors competing and doing well were Mark Boersma who placed third in the mens 19-30 age group. Paulina Pease did stuff and pulled off the win in the junior girls division.

Photos : Harry Wiewel - www.tmmaui.com