Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, December 10, 1999

Cold-Pack canoe
races at Lanikai

The seventh annual Hinano-Lanikai Cold-Pack Classic for one- and two-person racing canoes will start at 9 a.m. tomorrow with registration at Lanikai Beach near Lanikai Park.

The women's singles and doubles events start at 10:15 a.m., the men's singles and doubles races at 11:45.

The short course is about 3.5 miles, the long course about 6 miles.

After the men's race, there will be lunch, etc., at the park.

Entry fee is $5 plus one cold-pack of your favorite beverage.

For more information, call Jim Foti at 524-6677 or 247-1910.

Young America losing grip on Cup

Associated Pressit

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- The New York Yacht Club's Young America had another setback today in the America's Cup challenge round.

Young America lost to challenge-round leader AmericaOne by 1 minute, 8 seconds, further hurting the team's chances of making the finals.

With only four races to run, Young America is in ninth place in the standings. Only the six top boats will compete in the challenger finals.

In light and shifty breezes on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, the French team jumped three places to take over sixth place by beating the Spanish challenger by 4 minutes, 15 seconds.

In the day's closest race, America True defeated Japan's Nippon by 6 seconds to hold second place and stay within one victory of AmericaOne.

In other races, Italy's Prada defeated Young Australia by 55 seconds to stay in easy reach of the finals; and Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes scored a technical win over the Swiss team, which has withdrawn from the competition.

Young America skipper Ed Baird said the team was considering shifting crew members' roles on board in an effort to improve the team's performance.

"That's something we talk about every day," Baird said.

"We are struggling to get the pints that we need, that is very clear. We are disappointed that we have lost a couple of races that we would have hoped to have won this week, but ... we have four races to go and we know we need to win them."

The four-month Louis Vuitton Cup regatta will decide which of 10 teams takes on defender New Zealand in a best-of-9 series starting in February.

Azinger joins Simpson in Johnny Bellinger Shoot-Out

Paul Azinger, the 1990 and 1992 Johnny Bellinger Shoot-Out winner, and 1991 champ Scott Simpson will be among the 10 pro golfers in this year' $25,000 event, to be held Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the Waialae Country Club as part of the Jan. 10-16 Sony Open in Hawaii festivities.

The Shoot-Out, sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, begins at 2:30 p.m. After it ends, there will be a Tour Players Challenge, sponsored by the Tokyu Group of Japan and featuring five top pros in a special-shot competition.

Admission is free.

Hawaiian Island Twisters win Level 5 gymnastics honors

The Hawaiian Island Twisters Level 5 team won the recent 1999 Women's Gymnastics State Championship, beating out nine other teams for the title.

The Twisters had a score of 105.35 points to edge out Rainbow Gymnastics Academy (104.825) and Kokokahi Gymnastics Team (104.40).

Members of the championship team are Channel Fagasa, Carli Gardner, Tristyn Haxton, Janelle Higa, Jeena Kim, Annalise Miyashiro, Keaton Oshiro, Kelsi Oshiro and Nicole Ponciano. They are coached by Gabe Irono and Pat Gardner.

Cross-country coaches clinic at Outrigger Reef Hotel today

A cross-country coaches clinic sponsored by JAL Honolulu Marathon will be held from 4-6 p.m. today at Suites 569-570 of the Diamond Head Tower at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

For more information, call 924-7616.

Freas, Walker, Wilton, Goo to speak at QB Club lunch

Guest speakers at Monday's Honolulu Quarterback Club luncheon will be Hawaii swimming/diving coach Sam Freas, Chaminade basketball coach and athletic director Al Walker, UH men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton and UH women's basketball coach Vince Goo.

Lunch begins at 11:30 at the Pagoda Hotel, with the program following at noon.

Punahou heads strong field

Defending state boys basketball champion Punahou, state runner-up Kalaheo and Pearl City of Oahu, St. Joseph, Waiakea and host Hilo of Hawaii, Kauai High and King Kekaulike of Maui will take part in the ninth annual Big Island Candies/ Hilo High School Holiday Prep Classic Dec. 16-18 at Afook-Chinen Auditorium.