The Maui Slalom Series kicked off this weekend on Maui with the regular trades blowing into Kanaha with consistency and strength. McGain won the pro division and was second in his age group, and Mike Yasak won his age group and took fifth in the division. Paulina Pease won the Junior girls division.


Here’s how it all unfolded. The age group races were completed in the morning with MauiSails Mike Yasak back in winning form after recovering from a broken leg in 2008. Mike won all the races in the 50-59 division. Phil McGain however didn’t quite get it together to win his division and was outsailed by Alex Aguera. McGain, who won the first heat of the day was a little rusty in the next three heats while Alex Aguera sailed consistently to take the 40-49 age group division. MauiSails' local girl, Paulina Pease, sailed some great heats to win the Junior girls division. Paulina won three of the four heats to take the win from Kismet Kibourn.

After a short break for lunch, next up was the ability groups, with the Pro division stacked with talent. With the winds kicking in an extra notch the fight was on who was going to own Kanaha.


True to form, Peter Bijl hit the line wanting to prove a point from the get-go but at the first bouy he was closely followed by Peter Slate, Phil McGain, and Dan Ellis. Race one went to Bijl with Slate holding second and McGain following in third. The next heat the winds picked up to 25 knots and everyone was on the edge. Well it looked like everyone until McGain stayed down flat and steady on the outside jibe, while others fell and lost control. McGain went on to win heat two easily with Peter Slate in second and Dan Ellis in third. It was a repeat performance in heat three with McGain passing Drew Farrior right before the outside buoy with a text book pass to leeward, going on to take the win. Heat four saw McGain blow away the field, leading off the start, controlling the fleet at the first bouy and sailing with precision control around each mark.

McGain went on to win the pro division from Peter Slate with Peter Bijl taking third place. Mike Yasak sailed extremely well to take a personal best fifth place in the pro division.