Kanaka Ikaika Race #4

Foreign Attention win's Lulu's Series Race #4
by Jim Foti

In the 4th Kanaka Ikaika race of the season, surprise guest Szolt Szadovski from the Hungarian Kayak Team paid attention to the ocean to show the local field who has the new target on his back.  Manny Kulukulualani continues his dominance winning his 3rd series race in 3 appearances while Marcal Vitor captured the fledgling Stand Up paddle division.

20 mph South south west winds prevailed as the original course from Hawaii Kai to Sand Island was derailed.  The course was changed for both short and long courses to start at magic Island and take the easier route with the wind to Hawaii Kai, via Diamond Head Buoy.  Paddlers eagerly made their way as far out to sea as possible looking for a bettr line to Diamond Head Buoy.  With the starting line stretched out with the curve of the earth obstructing the view of paddlers from each end of the line, the race started.

To no surprise of those who know Szolt, he took and early lead in the Surfski race with Sean Monahan and Matt Dubrule just waiting to round DH buoy so they could pass him with local knowledge and surfing ability.  But to the surprise of everyone, the Hungarian dude can surf and shut down both Monahan and Dubrule to accept a 2nd and 3rd place finish, respectively.  Svolt won the race in 58 minutes and 15 seconds.  John Hoogsteden holds the point series lead. There were no female surfski participants.

The merge of the short and long courses put 86 OC-1 on the water at one time, giving the normal short course paddlers a chance to size themselves up amongst the sports best.  Manny chased the 3 lead surfskis the entire way to finished 4th overall in 1:02:29.  But the most exciting race of the day finished 1 minute, 15 seconds later with Danny Ching and Ryan Dolan racing to the finish for less than a 1 second difference in time, with Danny pulling 2nd and Ryan finishing 3rd for his 2nd 3rd place finish out of 2 OC-1 attempts this season.  Manny is sailing to the Lulu's Point Series lead.  Kelsa Teters won her second race of the season in 1:14:73, only 6 seconds ahead of Alana Goo-Frazier from Kauai.  Arlene Holzman finished 3rd.  Jessican Eames and Teters are tied for the series lead.

The Stand Up paddle division continued its presence.  First time entrant Vitor Marcal pushed his way past last race winner Kainoa Beaupre by 2 minutes in 1:36:58.  Jeffery Chang

Some rain squalls almost spoiled the party, but some good food, a few cold Hinano, some Hinano slippahas for prizes and everyone seemed to go home pleased, with their attention now looking ahead to the next Kanaka Ikaika race: March 09 from Kailua Beach to Kualoa Beach park.  Short course will start from Heeia Pier in Kaneohe Bay.  This is one of the best races of the schedule in terms of water variables with a country finish.  Not to mention it is a great run from Mokapu Point to Kualoa.

Aloha and see you in the water.  But Eh no foget, pay attention to the directions.