Outrigger paddles to victory in Ayau race

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Henry Ayau must have been smiling yesterday.

The Outrigger Canoe Club arrives at Ko Olina Harbor after winning the Henry Ayau Men's International Canoe Race. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Outrigger's victory came aboard a red and white fiberglass canoe named Henry Keawe Ayau.

"This is a very special race for our club, and it meant a lot to me, personally, to win it," Outrigger coach Kala Judd said.

Henry Ayau was an expert waterman and longtime paddler for Outrigger who died in 2002. The race and the Outrigger canoe were named in his honor shortly after his death.

The race, which is for men's teams only, is the last prelude event before the prestigious Moloka'i Hoe on Oct. 10.

"I'm not sure if this race says anything about Moloka'i, because that's something entirely different," Judd said. "But this is a very hard race and it is great preparation for Moloka'i."

If yesterday was any indication, Outrigger is prepared to make a legitimate run at the Moloka'i Hoe championship.

Forty-eight crews participated in yesterday's race, but it was a three-team affair in the lead pack.

Team New Zealand/Hawai'i and Lanikai kept pace with Outrigger throughout most of the course.

"It was an incredible race, especially in the first half," Judd said. "We were three abreast, trading the lead back and forth. It was like each team would take their turn getting in front."

Outrigger ultimately took the lead for good about three hours into the race by "pushing through the tough water," according to steersman Karel Tresnak Jr.

Trade winds were helping the paddlers, but a strong current was pushing against them most of the way.

"It was pretty brutal, actually," Tresnak said. "In some sections, you could find a (wave) bump and get a nice ride, but for the most part, it was a hard race."

The Outrigger Canoe Club arrives at Ko Olina Harbor after winning the Henry Ayau Men's International Canoe Race. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Members of the winning crew were Tresnak, Kevin Allen, Tom Allen, Jimmy Austin, Bret Chuckovich, Scott Hendricks, Byron Ho, Mike Kane and Tim Twigg-Smith.

Lanikai finished second in 3:38:13, and Team NZ/HI was third in 3:42:03. Team NZ/HI was the two-time defending champion of the Henry Ayau race.

Lanikai and Team NZ/HI both experienced minor breakdowns midway through the race.

"I got tired and needed a break, which is something I usually don't do," said Lanikai steersman Jim Foti. "And in a race like this, against teams this good, you can't afford any mistakes. It was like we slowed down for just a minute and they took off."

Foti recovered in time to help Lanikai pass Team NZ/HI down the stretch for second place.

"The finish of our race was good, but it was a little too late," he said.

In any case, Outrigger, Lanikai and Team NZ/HI should all be near the top of the standings for the Moloka'i Hoe, although the order of finish is anybody's guess. Other contenders are expected to arrive from Australia and Tahiti.

"This is a good way to go into Moloka'i, but that race is so different from any other," Tresnak said. "There are so many factors, from the current, to the waves, and the other conditions. There's always something to surprise you."

Foti added: "I think today was an indication that Outrigger is very tough and will be hard to beat in any race. But it also says that we're not giving up and there are a lot of other teams in the hunt."

Women's crews did not paddle yesterday because they are gearing up for their big event — the Na Wahine O Ke Kai on Sunday.

Final results

Overall

1, Outrigger-1 (Kevin Allen, Tom Allen, Jimmy Austin, Bret Chuckovich, Scott Hendricks, Byron Ho, Mike Kane, Tim Twigg-Smith, Karel Tresnak Jr.), 3:36:29. 2, Lanikai-1, 3:38:13. 3, Team New Zealand/Hawai'i, 3:42:03. 4, Wailea, 3:46:45. 5, Hui Nalu-1, 3:49:34. 6, Hui Lanakila-5, 3:49:44. 7, Hawaiian, 3:54:05. 8, Kailua-1, 3:56:53. 9, Lanakila-Redondo Beach, 4:00:01. 10, Lanikai-2, 4:00:14. 11, Outrigger-2, 4:01:18. 12, Hui Lanakila-4, 4:07:35. 13, Hui Lanakila Masters, 4:08:33. 14, Hui Nalu-2, 4:15:25. 15, Leeward Kai, 4:18:36. 16, 'Anuenue, 4:21:52. 17, Kailua-2, 4:24:09. 18, Waikiki Yacht Club-1, 4:26:46. 19, Healani, 4:29:53. 20, Manu O Ke Kai, 4:31:10. 21, Waikiki Beach Boys-2, 4:32:00. 22, Lokahi-1, 4:33:05. 23, Lanikai-3, 4:33:35. 24, Keahiakahoe, 4:35:02. 25, Koa Kai-3, 4:36:47.

Masters 40-older

1, Hui Lanakila (Leighton Look, Byron Martinez, Ron Cotteen, Fred Delos Santos, Sam Alama, Tomas Schlotman, Steve Holbrook, Eric Mitchell, Jim Hewitt), 4:08:33. 2, New Hope, 5:16:09. 3, Ka Mamalahoe, 5:18:12.

Masters 50-older

1, Waimanalo (James Kincaid, Bob Rocheleau, Billy Mowat, Harold Akeo, Charles Kalama, Joe Perry, Dennis Sallas, Jeff Metzger, Raymond Lii, Miner Lii), 4:48:21. 2, New Hope, 5:00:53. 3, Kai Poha, 5:03:40.

Koa canoe

1, Hui Lanakila (Gavin Hanoa, Lance Takara, Keone Joao, Shannon Ball, Kekoa Lopez, Herman Hose, Dean Hirahara, Dee Ruzicka, Keoni Kuoha), 4:39:52.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.