Sunny Mardi Gras

Full Moon (far right) on approach to the AGC buoy. The eventual third place boat is on the left with the blue spinnaker.

Full Moon crew Michael “Zoomer” Medina, Marcelle “Origami” Van Houten, Daniel “Holy Hell” Mengedoht, Kristen “Sta-lo” Rue, and skipper John “Not Sorry” Mengedoht went with a starboard tack start for the Mardi Gras Duck Dodge, sixth across the line. This was a safe choice, given a crowded start line and strong wind, though boats able to get through on port tack enjoyed an advantage. Others (behind us) were apparently not so lucky with some collisions and close calls!

Daniel enjoys the post-race sun.

Three tacks later, Full Moon passed the Freeway buoy, then tacked westward near Gasworks to head to the Aurora buoy. After rounding, the Equalizer was soon launched, providing excellent speed on the long broad reaching leg south and allowing Full Moon to gain substantially on boats ahead. With a smooth spinnaker drop just before the AGC buoy, Full Moon nearly passed a couple of boats heading into the final leg.

Marcelle also enjoys a golden glow.

Unfortunately, jibing around the buoy, the jib sheets fouled badly on the spinnaker pole. The resulting lack of speed dropped Full Moon back to seventh at the finish, not at all bad, all things considered.