Welcome to the Koa Kai Triple Crown, a thrilling new challenge for our FOIL community, showcasing three classic downwind courses linking the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. This is the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and speed, spanning approximately 70 miles of downwind racing over the course of one exciting week.
On Sunday, July 14th, Paddle Imua will host the initial event along the famous Maliko run on Maui, where athletes will race the 8-mile course to Kanaha beach in support of Camp Imua – a free recreational summer camp for Maui children with special need. The Molokai Holokai Hoʻolauleʻa will host the Maui to Molokai Challenge (M2M) on Friday, July 19th. In support of Youth in Motion on Molokai, and inspiring the next generation of paddlers, the M2M will feature the Pailolo channel with roughly 26 miles of ideal conditions connecting Maui to Molokai. The final stop will be the Moloka‘i 2 O‘ahu Foil Edition just two days later Sunday, July 21st. The later start time for the M2O will present some fun, fast conditions to finish up the events and ultimately decide the Triple Crown winners in addition to the event’s World Champions.
The Triple Crown Events:
- Paddle Imua (Sunday, July 14th):
- Course: 8 miles from Maliko Gulch to Kanaha Beach, Maui.
- Molokai Holokai Hoʻolauleʻa (Friday, July 19th):
- Course: 26 miles across the Pailolo Channel from Maui to Molokai.
- Moloka‘i 2 O‘ahu Foil Edition (Sunday, July 21st):
- Course: Roughly 40 miles across the Kaiwi Channel that connects the island of Molokai to Oahu.
The Challenge:
To compete for the Koa Kai Triple Crown, participants must race in the FOIL category across all three events. The cumulative time will be combined to rank athletes for final awards. The fastest time at the end wins.
Important Rules:
- All three events must be raced on the same craft. For example, if you choose WING at Paddle Imua, you must race WING in all events to be considered for the Triple Crown.
- Divisions and age groups may vary across the three events, but final standings will include specific overall and age group divisions.
Awards:
The 2024 Koa Kai Triple Crown will honor the top finishers with prestigious awards in both overall and age group divisions. This new collaboration aims to bring together the FOIL community in a celebration of skill, endurance, and camaraderie.
Get ready for an exhilarating week of racing, showcasing the best of downwind foiling and the incredible spirit of competition. The Koa Kai Triple Crown is set to be a highlight in our sport, bringing excitement and energy to the waters of Hawaii.
