NAWILIWILI — The mermaid got help from the pirate at the Jetty Wall on Monday.
“You Americans are unpredictable,” a German visitor aboard the anchored cruise ship said, shaking his head as he watched the five yachts battle for position, cheered on by the mermaid, a pirate, and a ghoul that appeared from behind the rock wall.
OZone jockeyed in the brisk winds and shot off the starting horn only to be chased by Malihini, a 35-foot class piloted by Doug Gibson.
Sails flapping and tack rattling against the masts, Malihini pulled ahead coming off the first can turnaround to maintain an overall lead throughout the three-lap race.
The strong winds coupled with crews decked out in Halloween finery saw rubber band problems with OZone’s spinnaker, but the Olson 30 never quit and finished second overall. Mapuana, a Wells 35, and Papa’au, an Express 27, fought neck-and-neck for third place honors with Coyote, her Jolly Roger flying, rounding out the pack.
Sharon Gibson, the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s starter, and a victim of the mermaid, noted that corrected times were in order, and following the Halloween get-together, submitted the adjusted times.
Those times saw Mapuana edge out OZone, with a finish time of 33:15 and 33:41 respectively in the PHRF Open Class. Despite her first finish overall, Malihini was relegated to third place in the Club Open Class with an adjusted time of 32:16. First place in that division went to Coyote on a 30:07 crossing followed by Papa’au who sounded the horn at 31:57.
Coyote was also designated the winner of the Best Dressed Boat with her pirate crew. The mermaid starter earned the Best Individual Costume award that was graciously accepted by Gibson.
The German visitor, who appeared at the race after walking over from the cruise ship, was offered a ride to the party by the mermaid who appeared to have problems with her marine debris outfit in negotiating a descent from the jetty wall.
Gibson said that with the conclusion of the Harvest Series, Race No. 7 last Thursday, and the special Halloween race, Monday, the next NYC race will take place in February.
However, the Halloween event only served to stoke up the sailors for their Christmas Boat Parade of Lights that will take place on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Gibson said they would like to invite all sailing and fishing vessels to enter the competition for the Best Decorated Boat in the parade.
First prize is one “ZLURE’ (deep sea fishing lure) designed by Hank Zeevat worth over $50, and a gift certificate for $75 worth of disel fuel, or payment towards the next slip fee.
Prizes will also be awarded for second and third place in this competition.
Application deadline is Dec. 1 for prize eligibility, and application forms may be picked up now at the DLNR office, or the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor office, or by calling 332-5987 for information.
