Corona & Maui Canoe & Kayak Club
Hurricane/Eyecatcher 2002 Race Series
RACE #7  

By Sharon Balidoy

3 Sisters Race

I believe this was our largest field ever for this race.  54 on the long course and 19 on the short course for a total of 73.  RIGHT- ON MAUI!

Conditions?  Well not as much surf as many would have liked but some small, tiny bumps to help push you down the coast.  We all knew this race had the potential to take a lot out of you.   

Overall winners?  No surprises.  Mark Huetter dominated the surfski division, 6 minutes in front of 2^nd place.  He expressed his aloha and Mahalo to all of us for the time that he has been here.  He departs our paradise on Tues – flying off to the next big race somewhere.  Mark Cluney has been the top Maui finisher in all but the first 2 races as he came in a minute ahead of Big T. Calderon.  Dane Ward won her race today as Maui’s top finisher, Lauren Spalding headed for the Oahu race.  OC-2 saw the return of Deb & Vinney Robinson who walked away with a 21-second win over Marko and Andrea. 

The inside scoops?  The “Wailea Boyz” are doing an outstanding job in the OC-1.  6 of the top 10 are from Wailea including Jacob Abeytia who just returned to the circuit and finished 2^nd 18-29.  Rick Nu`u switched to the OC-1 this week & earned a 3^rd in the 30-39.  Novice paddler Nabil Vogele tried his hand in the long course and finished a very respectable 14^th overall.  Quite a few jumped to the short course including Mike Sparling who handedly won in 58:32.  Ramone continues his Novice A winning.  Jeff Oltman was a big surprise – who is this guy anyway?  He won the novice division in his first ever attempt at the OC-1.  (Heard that he is a novice B paddler with Napili).  Also doing well is Vicki Gascho, winning the novice women in her 3^rd  attempt.  Jeannie Gonzales and Carol Elterman remain our Maui Senior Master superwomen as they completed the short course in 1^st and 2^nd. 

Helpful hint # 182: Enter this race having had adequate rest (sleep) and nourishment and being of sound mind. 

Mahalo to Gail and Char for doing all the registration, to Jen for her kokua with the banners and medals, to Margie for transporting the beer/piranha drinks, and to Derek for agreeing to run the race should we not return in time.   Ricky and I enjoyed Samoa, got to do a little paddling there and to see the fautasi crews practicing.  Mahalo for the warm reception it is good to be home.  Fa`a fetai.