Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, December 9, 1999

Abracadabra 2000 prevails

Hawaii's Abracadabra 2000 pulled ahead of Young Australia before the first weather mark and drew steadily away on each subsequent leg to win their America's Cup challenger series race by 1 minute, 21 seconds off Auckland, New Zealand, today.

In other races, Le Defi defeated Stars & Stripes; AmericaOne beat Nippon; Prada outsailed Spanish Challenge, and America True beat Swiss Challenge in a walkover.

After seven races in the challenger series' third round-robin, Abracadabra 2000 was in seventh place with 43 points.

AmericaOne held the lead with 90.

The four-month regatta will decide which of 10 teams takes on defender New Zealand for sailing's most prized trophy in a best-of-9 series starting in February.

UH swim teams win

The University of Hawaii men's 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay swim teams set pool, school and Western Athletic Conference records yesterday as the unbeaten Rainbows defeated the University of Denver, 71-37, at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

The UH Wahine also remained undefeated, outscoring Denver, 67-42.

Dave Jenkins, Nick Folker, Luis Rojas and Eddie Lovell won the 400-yard relay in 2 minutes, 54.79 seconds, best time in the nation this fall.

Lori Thomas paced the UH women, winning the 50 freestyle with a national qualifying time of 23 seconds.

Navalta coach of the year

Brigham Young-Hawaii women's volleyball coach Wilfred Navalta was named the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year yesterday. His Seasiders won the Division II national title on Saturday, completing a 30-2 season.

It is the seventh national coaching honor for Navalta and the first at the Division II level. He has led BYU-Hawaii to nine championships - eight at the NAIA level - since taking over the program in 1985, compiling a 379-63 record.

Alexio to face 'Welsh Warrior'

Heavyweight kickboxing champion Dennis Kaheke Alexio will face European heavyweight champ Gordon "Welsh Warrior" Minors Dec. 18, at the Blaisdell Arena.

Tickets are on sale at the Blaisdell box office or by calling 526-4400.

The phone number given in yesterday's Star-Bulletin was incorrect.

Banner day for Ke'alohi

Jovonna Ke'alohi pitched a no-hitter and drove in five runs with a single, double and grand slam, leading Campbell to a 20-1 victory over Waialua in an OIA West softball game yesterday at the Sabers' field.