Maui’s Molokai Challenge has got to be the “perfect” course/race.  1) It is a channel crossing; you travel from Maui to Molokai. 2) It is predominately and usually a down wind run.  3) It is affordable.  4) It is just the right distance.  Perfect for a) those training hard and putting in the long runs and want a tune-up for the Ka`iwi Channel, b) those testing out there capabilities for solo long distance paddling, and c) those wanting a long race but not really wanting to paddle 30+ miles.  5) it is challenging yet fun and very do-able.  6) Logistics are pretty easy and 7) Maui paddlers are helpful.

For many race day was a day of surprises and fun while for others a day of disappointment.  For the MCKC organizers surprises came in the way of all the people from far and near who registered for this race on Sat. morning.  Our biggest international field yet.  Those of you who follow results and races world wide will recognize some of the names from Canada, New Zealand, Fiji, Hungary, South Africa, Brazil, Northern and Southern California, Australia, Pennsylvania, Kaua`i, Oahu, Moloka`i, Maui, and a big shout out to the Big Island paddlers who came in force. Our field was comprised of famous and respected paddlers, of pioneers in this sport, of energetic young guns, friends, and apprehensive novices…    Some of Hawai`i’s greats were there, Jim Foti, Kala Judd, Maggie Twigg-Smith, Geoff Graff, Beanie Heen, Steve Cole, Lauren Bartlett, and the list goes on.  Another pleasant surprise for us was that there were very few things to adjust in the results and we thank those of you for your input in helping to correct mistakes and to make times, places… as accurate as possible.  Job well done to the timers and Rob & Patty Phillips!

Surprises for the paddlers?  Ahhhh, a little breeze in the morning.  What a relief.  The shore break was a surprise and for the ladies that damaged their OC-1 and had to pull out, such a disappointment.  Speaking of pulling out, all of the paddlers that pulled out for fear of a flat, hot, long haul of a race; ah shucks, wrong move, you missed a great day.  Of course if you forgot to bring your iakos for a Mahoe it was a sad day as Maui only has 1 Mahoe that we know of and it was racing.  The course and conditions were not the epic conditions we had last year however there were lots of rides and if you were able to surf, you were able to link rides from wave, to wave, to wave.  There was a cool breeze and even though the last few miles seemed to last an eternity for those of us who did not put in the training time, it was not flat nor was there headwind; it was decent right on through.

Our officials at the finish line commented that the first paddlers, the surfski elite men, Steve Woods, Zsolt Szadovski and Ian Gray crossed the finish line looking fresh and relaxed as if they just finished a “little” warm-up.  Cherisse Agorastos crossed as strong as ever while her relay partner, Lauren cheered her on from the escort boat.  There was some murmuring as to the first OC-1 male to cross the line.  Who is that guy? Tyson Kubo?  Is he Tahitian?  Tyson is a quiet force from Maui and has been putting in his hours, off the radar.  I believe he held a lower line than most and ripped right on in to  finish only 27 seconds behind the 3rd place surfski, Ian Gray and 1min 43 seconds behind Steve the first place overall finisher.  His OC-6 teammate, Mael Carey, a more familiar name too many, was 2nd and Kaua`i’s first finisher, Mark Frazier was 3rd.  Andrea Messer from Oahu, in her first venture on this course, was the fastest solo wahine completing the course in 3 hours 37 minutes and 54 seconds.

The competition in the age groups was fierce.  The 50’s were sizing each other up at registration, trying to put faces to names.  All the winners from the different Hawaiian Islands were registered.  Afa Tuaolo from Puna was smokin’ through the course and dominated that age group.  The 40’s was won by the all revered Jim Foti.  As soon as Foti arrived on the scene I could hear paddlers asking for his advice on what line to take…  Maui’s own Mike Sparling was 6th OC-1 overall and took the 30-39 age group.  It is interesting that all the top 7 OC-1 solo paddlers came from the 30-39 age bracket.  These guys must have the power, fitness, mind and experience to put it all together and dominate.  The tightest finishing division belonged to the 20-29’s.  Mike DeLima, was happy to learn that he won his division by 21 seconds to 2nd place paddler William Reichenstein who was just 40 seconds ahead of 3rd in their division; Gavin Miller.

The relay teams all had a blast.  Following the race, as is usual, a number of the relay teams have already decided to go solo next year.  Why?  Because they want to catch and ride all the bumps.  They do not want to rotate off the canoe and watch the fun from an escort boat.  The OC-2 has become very popular and the ability to go solo or relay on an OC-2 provides for lots of options.  It is a great way to share the race with your spouse, your friend or brother-in-law.

As always, the race course throws little curve balls at us.  Which course is better, closer to the island or farther south?  Do we stay high at first or drop down right off the start?  This year if you were solo you may have found yourself asking an even more basic question:  Where is Molokai?  Am I going the right way?  And then resigning to “I think I’ll follow that guy over there.” 

Thanks to Kai Wa`a and Smith Builders for picking up the sponsorship.  We all appreciate it!  Thanks to all the island coordinators and helpers for kokua with trailering, rides to and from the airport, arrangements in general and for the aloha that is shared.  Special Mahalo to the Molokai gang for their continued help.  It is a lot of hard work and effort for us to run this race, for all the paddlers to get to this race and for our canoes to arrive at the proper destination in a timely manner.  We hope things all worked out for the good.  The best part of it all?  Like always… the smiles, the stories and the friendships formed.  Mahalo to those of you who continue to make the trek to Maui and to the Maui paddlers and friends for your support.  See you next year.

Aloha, Ricky and Sharon