Jack Roney Shakes up Windward side in OC-1
Race #5 of the Kanaka Ikaika Lulu's Series was held in dead calm, sunny
conditions. By the time the race started off Kailua Beach at 10:00 am, the cool
morning dew had already burned away for all 127 participants. There were not
many bumps except for the backwash off Mokapu and an occassional escort wake.
18 year old Jack Roney won the men's open OC-1 division in 1 hour 31 minutes 15
seconds. He was 27 seconds ahead of series leader Manny Kulukulualani. Roney had
a slow start, but after rounding Mokapu he put on the charge to pass the lead
pack. Karel Tresnak Jr. put on a hard charge from deep in the pack also to
finish 3rd.
Zsolt Szadovszki from Hungary crushed the surfski division for the second Lulu's
series race in a row. He finished in 1 hour 22 minutes 15 seconds, nearly 6
minutes ahead of 18 year old Ryan Dolan. Zsolt bolted off the start and only
increased the lead with every mile. Courtney Seto finished 3rd, 25 seconds after
Dolan.
Jessica Eames was the first women to finish the OC-1 in 1:44:02, over 3 minutes
ahead of runner up Arlene Holzman. Densie Darval-Chang was 3rd.
Robin Singh was the only female surfski paddler and was rewarded with a Lulu's
gift certificate and Hinano gear.
The short course continued to be a challenge for the lead. This week the OC-1
men's division was won by Jace Faufata in 1:17:06. Kalei Kahookele finished over
a minute and a half behind with DJ Oga pulling in 3rd, only 13 seconds behind
Kalei.
The women's OC-1 Short course was again dominated by Ann Dewey in 1:23:43. 16
year old Julia Andereson bumped herself out of the Junior category by finishing
2nd oveall, just over a minute behind Dewey. Janice Smith finished 3rd.
The short course surfski saw only 3 participants with Douglass Smith winning the
men's division and Mikala Bradley as the only women paddler.
The Stand Up division saw a 3rd different winner in 3 races. Edward Pestana Beat
Kainoa Beaupre by over 3 minutes to capture the victory in 1:39:28. Sonny Julian
was 3rd.
In normal fashion, good fun post race activities saw ono food and a few Hinano
products going around.
Next Kanaka Ikaika race is the Coastal Relay on Saturday March 22 from Kailua to
Magic Island.