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"Natoma 2009 Sprint Regatta #2 Pau!"June 25, 2009Hello All – This regatta was looking to be a bit warmer than last week and it was picture perfect…not too cold and not too hot. The winds are another story. Anyhoz, it was Round #2 of the 2009 sprint season and actually a makeup regatta by Makana Hoe as the 2008 fires cancelled their regatta last year. So if you look at your medals…or the medals of those around you, you will see that it says "2008." With the Malia now returned back to their protective hale, Bradleys and Mirages were out in mass and ruled the flats today. Because Brad and I had to leave soon after the first races started, Danny Izumi was proclaimed head race official and ran da show. And boy did he run it. Y'all got off da water by 4:00pm just shy of time goals we set for every regatta. Great job Danny! Judging from the day's results there is a battle brewing among da big clubs Lokahi and Ho'okahi Pu'uwai. This week Lokahi crews eeked out a 3 point lead in overall points 62 to 59. That's why da coaches always tell crews to keep your head down and paddle all the way through da flag. Every point matters in sprints. As for small clubs Hui O' Sacramento again walked away with the gold with 26 points overall and seem on par to win both the Championship Season “A” Division in the upcoming final sprints. In closing just wanted to give a shout out to all da traditional V1 canoes on the water and in force today. I hear there were many challenges going out to other traditionals to beef up the number of entries and it worked. I hope to see more in the near future as all of Polynesia and World Sprints cater to the rudderless V1 and requires more than just speed and endurance….it requires a skill set that all true Polynesians have mastered and have proven to us they own this division. Thanks for the clubs for loaning and keeping traditionals alive. Last but not least, many thanks to Laura Aguon and da folks at Makana Hoe for hosting another great regatta in Natoma in the name of “Bob Steele Memorial Regatta”, and the beautiful awards. See ya next week on the ocean at Monterey for Round #3…love that salt air and water. Hope there is heat this time. Pau fo now, Bernie |
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