M2O foil edition 2024 race recap with the Oahu wing foil crew- Episode #35

The Blue Planet Show

In this video our wing foil crew consisting of Derek, Matt, Kevin and Robert talk about our experience crossing the Ka'iwi channel between Molokai and Oahu in the 2024 M2O Foil edition race. Summary of our conversation: The Blue Planet Show hosts Derek, Kevin, and Matt discuss their experiences in the Molokai to Oahu (M2O) race. They also touch on their participation in the Maui to Molokai and Molokai Holokai races that took place prior. The conversation delves into various aspects of the M2O race, from the preparation, strategy, and execution, to personal anecdotes and lessons learned from the experience. Pre-Race Preparation • Arrival and Setup: Upon arriving in Maui, the team loaded their equipment onto a U-Haul and participated in the Maui to Molokai and Molokai Holokai races before gearing up for the M2O race on Sunday. • Starting Point Decision: The team made strategic decisions about where to start the race, choosing Iliopoint on the north side of Molokai over the previous year’s starting point at Kalua Koi. This decision was driven by the desire to find better wind conditions and a more challenging start. The Race Begins • Derek’s Perspective: Derek describes flying around and capturing footage of the race participants as they prepared for the start. He highlights the SUP racers waiting with their escort boats and the wingers readying themselves with safety equipment like VHF radios and EPIRBs. The race began with strong winds and favorable conditions. • Matt’s Take: Matt appreciated the choice of starting at Iliopoint, finding the wind conditions stronger than the previous year’s practice crossing. He was pleased with his performance in the beginning, feeling adequately powered up. In-Race Challenges and Experiences • Kevin’s Journey: Kevin shared a vivid account of his race, including his partnership with Pilot John. Initially, they stuck together, but as the race progressed, John insisted Kevin leave him behind. Kevin eventually pushed ahead, feeling both guilty and exhilarated as he completed the race without falling. He reflected on the difficulty of staying together as a team in such challenging conditions. • Team Dynamics: The team aspect added a unique challenge, as staying together meant one person had to wait every time the other fell. This increased the likelihood of both participants falling, making it a tricky balance to maintain. • Winning the Unofficial Team Competition: Matt and his partner Reza, along with Kevin and Pilot John, managed to win the unofficial team competition. Matt enjoyed sharing the experience with Reza, despite the difficulties in navigation and staying together. Navigational Strategies and Weather Conditions • Derek and Matt’s Routes: Derek and Matt both took different routes, with Matt opting to go further south in search of more wind. Derek noted that he had to zigzag due to the presence of escort boats, which affected his progress. • Light Winds and Tactical Decisions: The race saw varying wind conditions, with some parts of the course experiencing light winds. This forced the participants to make strategic decisions, like going south or tacking upwind to stay on foil. Both Derek and Matt emphasized the importance of these decisions, especially in the light-wind conditions in the middle of the race. • Boat Interference: Derek mentioned how escort boats, paddlers, and other traffic made it difficult to stick to the ideal line, as the boat wakes created additional challenges. The Final Stretch and Finish Line • Approaching Diamond Head: Matt recounted how, after a long stretch of not seeing anyone, he finally saw Derek near Diamond Head. Both were navigating through the final challenges of the race, with Derek having to deal with boat wakes and Matt focusing on maintaining his speed and avoiding falls. • Post-Race Reflections: The race finished with an awards ceremony, where winners like Nani in the women’s division were celebrated. The team reflected on their different approaches, routes, and the challenges they faced, like dealing with light winds and the psychological aspect of seeing the finish line but still having a long way to go. Lessons Learned and Future Plans • Kevin’s Takeaways: Kevin reflected on his gear choices, suggesting that he would choose a different foil and wing if he were to race again. He emphasized the importance of being better prepared and more competitive in the future. • Matt’s Reflections: Matt shared similar insights, noting that he should have chosen a bigger wing and a smaller foil. He also discussed the strategic aspect of choosing the southern route and his plans to compete solo next year. • The Unique Experience of Racing Without an Escort: The participants highlighted the unique and thrilling experience of racing without an escort boat. The feeling of being alone in the vast ocean, relying solely on their instincts and skills, added a profound dimension to the race. Closing Thoughts The conversation ended with a discussion about the mileage covered, with Rob noting that his route totaled 48 miles, which was longer than expected. The participants reiterated the challenges they faced, the strategies that worked, and the excitement of finishing such a demanding race. Conclusion The M2O race was a significant and memorable event for all participants. It tested their skills, endurance, and decision-making abilities in a challenging environment. The race not only provided a platform for competition but also offered valuable lessons and experiences that the participants will carry with them into future races.