Photo courtesy of Gloira Reed
The conditions and directions of the ocean and wind held all 6 team members in the canoe for over 4 hours. At about the midway point between the islands, sheet man Butch Keahiolalo was able to make a few sail adjustments and the excitement began. The 6-to 8 foot seas were stacked up to make the rest of the race extremely challenging. At a couple of points in the latter part of the race, both Marvin and Jason were steering blind and trying not to get pulled out of the canoe. Paddles were lost, hoops and ama's were broken and at times a snorkel would have been the tool of choice. In spite of the paddling over 90 miles and seven hours, each team member is ready to it again.
Photo courtesy of Gloira Reed
The rest of the fleet made up of canoes from Kauai, Maui and Oahu and were 5 to 30 minutes behind the first place Olukai team at the finish. The last race of the season, the Kendall Pacific, will combine 4 and 6 man sailing canoes, one man and 9 man outriggers , standup Boards and surf ski's. The Olukai team is now positioned to win it's 13th overall Sailing Championship .
