Starbucks Kaua'i Island Championships
update: article added
Photos by Makana Denton
Maui Kjeldsen Paddles to Impressive Finish in Starbuck’s Island Championships
Special to the Garden Island by Laurie Denton
Nearly eight minutes separated the first two finishers in Starbuck’s Kauai Island Championships held on Sunday April 15. Maui Kjeldsen paddled the challenging long course as though the 22-mile distance was a mere warm up and finished in 2:09:37. Superior surfing ability and conditioning was key in this course that originated in Kalapaki and headed down the rough coast to finish at Port Allen. With stiff easterly trades and stacking east swells hitting ama side on the canoes, the going was fast but challenging and many paddlers found themselves in the water as their canoes flipped.
Mark Frazier finished second in 2:17:30 and Luke Evslin a close third in 2:18:31 in the men’s oc-1 division.
Noe Auger grabbed the top spot for the women in 2:42:11. Katy Curtis was second in 2:47:30 and Alana Frazier a very close third in 2:47:35, which is an amazing finish for a race of this distance.
In the OC-2 mixed division, Jeff and Cindy Weiss were first in 2:34:04 followed by Peter Chow and Laura Anderson in 2:51:08. The team of Kegel and Duarte were the lone men in the OC-2 division. They finished in 2:37:09.
In the eight mile short course which originated off of Sheraton and finished at Port Allen, the winds and seas were much more conducive to fast and fun paddling. For the men’s division, Richard Pettigrew led the pack and finished in 1:10:40 followed by Jeff Griffin in 1:11:53 and Gordon Lett a few seconds later in 1:12:00. For the women, Kristen Foster was first with a time of 1:19:20, followed by Laola Aea in 1:20:59. Erin Struxness was third in 1:22:54.
Bae and Jody DelaCruz finished first in the OC-2 mixed division in 1:18:16 and less than a minute behind was the team of Herb Kekuawela and Sandy Higa in 1:19:01.
Key to the success of YMCA’s Kauai Hoe Wa’a have been the many sponsors and volunteers. We would like to thank Starbucks, Budweiser, Brennecke’s, Aloha Beach Resort, and Resort Quest Waimea Plantation Cottages for sponsorship, beverages and food. Laola Aea and Susan Allyn also assisted with food. The timers throughout the season have been Sara Deblin, Napua Costa, Jody Kjeldsen, Fran MacDonald, Tracy Capman, Mary and Tom Bartlett, John Steinhardt, Sanoe Lake and Pam DeSilva. Tracy Capman, Beth Kauwe, Jon Kegel, and Mike Pemberton handled registration. In addition we couldn’t have any races without our escort boats; thank you to captains, Jimmy Ledward, Joe Laukona, Dino D’annibale and Kalani Vierra from the Kauai Water Patrol.
Another key to our success has been the impressive growth of participation. In a span of three years we have grown from a field of approximately 36 entries to nearly 90 boats entered in our championships. Paramount to this is the diversity of members. From novice teens out for their first runs in the high seas to seasoned veterans as well as those in their 60’s who are often tough to beat as well. Kauai Hoe Wa’a has instilled friendship; a sense of competition and lots of support for one another. Anyone interested in participating may contact Tom Bartlett at places.1@hotmail.com for more information.
Coming up on May 10 – 13th is the Expedia.com Kauai World Challenge. A venue for Olympians, world champions and the amateurs, this is an event not to be missed. Originating at Wailua Beach, hundreds of paddlers will set off to Hanamaulu Bay where they will pass their canoes off to their partners who will then paddle to Kalapaki Bay where the first team member then takes the canoe down to Waiohai Bay where the final switch is made. The final leg finishes at Salt Pond Beach Park where live music, food and awards will take place. It’s a great spectator event as the changes are made in very accessible locations and will all be close to shore. For more information, go to www.kauaiworldchallenge.com.
Long
105 Maui Kjeldson long OC1 2:09:37 4 Mark Frazier long OC1 2:17:30 53 Wes DaSilva long SS 2:17:50 104 Luke Evslin long OC1 2:18:31 86 Steve Cole long OC1 2:21:39 1 Butch Keahiolalo long OC1 2:22:39 41 Hipo Princena long OC1 2:24:56 79 Brian Carter long OC1 2:27:20 101 Maika Scott long OC1 2:28:18 100 Jody Simpson long OC1 2:28:43 420 Eric Rafter long OC1 2:30:28 62 Kamuela Aea long OC1 2:32:50 14 Marshall McCready long OC1 2:32:55 529 Jeff/Cindy Weiss long OC2 Mixed 2:34:04 0 Kenny Denton long OC1 2:35:12 24 Chris Acoba long OC1 2:36:52 115 Kegal/Duarte long OC2 Men 2:37:09 131 Chris Fujita long OC1 2:40:00 15 Arthur Chow long OC1 2:40:15 36 Scott Wagner long OC1 2:41:55 99 Noe Auger long OC1 W 2:42:11 127 AJ Irons long OC1 2:42:21 94 Gene Lopez long OC1 2:42:45 69 Katy Curtis long OC1 W 2:47:30 508 Alana Frazier long OC1 W 2:47:35 0 Peter Chow/? long OC2 2:51:08 192 Mac McDonald long OC1 2:52:48 103 Eddie Petri long OC1 2:54:51 136 Sueo Higa long OC1 2:55:01 17 Margie Goodno long OC1 2:58:16 128 K.C. long SS 2:59:15 122 Chris Pico long OC1 3:00:10 26 Jason Dameron long OC1 3:03:07 50 Mary Bartlett long OC1 3:03:32 5 Katy Otsuji long OC1 3:03:49 0 Laurie Denton long OC1 3:06:00
Short
76 Richard Pettigrew short OC1 1:10:40 64 Jeff Griffin short OC1 1:11:53 15 Gordon Lett short OC1 1:12:00 46 Jonli Alo short OC1 1:13:00 11 Aaron Labuguen short OC1 1:13:07 8 Kawika Goodale short OC1 1:13:50 110 Adam Roversi short OC1 1:15:30 59 Ken Coors short OC1 1:16:56 51 Bae/Jody DelaCruz short OC2 Mixed 1:18:16 35 Herb/Sandy short OC2 Mixed 1:19:01 12 Mick Callahan short OC1 1:19:15 74 Kristin Foster short OC1 W 1:19:20 32 Tom Thompson short OC1 1:20:17 109 Tom Bartlett short OC1 1:20:28 47 Garfield McCullen short OC1 1:20:40 83 David McDonald short OC1 1:20:55 1 Laola Aea short OC1 W 1:20:59 12 Tyler Hale short OC1 Teen 1:21:10 88 Michelle Jackson short SS W 1:21:39 133 Skip Forrest short OC1 1:22:00 44 Kendall Bond short OC1 1:22:35 81 Damien Omakanim short OC1 1:22:37 61 Erin Struxness short OC1 W 1:22:54 68 Beth Kauwe short OC1 W 1:23:00 53 Unknown short SS 1:23:30 111 Lilinoe Forrest short OC1 W 1:24:00 124 Kalani Addington short OC1 1:24:09 118 Dave Spanski short OC1 1:24:29 16 Midge Horwood short OC1 W 1:25:35 66 Caroline short OC1 W 1:26:35 78 Bob Kalowski short OC2 1:26:59 84 Ryan Tokashi short OC1 1:27:55 92 Cameron Takamura short OC1 1:28:00 21 Audree Bernadino short OC1 W 1:28:50 9 Tai Kanekua short OC1 1:29:30 93 Coy Rebman short OC1 1:30:00 3 Leigh Drachman short OC1 W 1:30:04 37 Lee Evslin short OC1 1:30:40 133 Malama Souza short OC1 1:30:50 19 Doneen Stokes short OC1 W 1:35:10 129 Joe Rapozo short OC1 1:35:35 106 Joy Chow short OC1 W 1:36:05 13 Kathy Brock short OC1 W 1:37:00 132 Sarah Newton short OC1 W 1:37:50 114 Lori Parrage short OC1 W 1:39:40 130 Christine short OC1 W 1:39:40 138 Brenn Nakaahiki short OC1 1:39:50
Posted by keizo on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 7:13am