Barbie and Two Kens

Full Moon crew Daniel “Steady On” Mengedoht, Anne “Socks” Gustavson, and skipper John “Golden” Mengedoht were a little short-handed again and opted for fourth start (no spinnakers) in the Barbie Night Duck Dodge. The wind was very light out of the northeast for the start and Full Moon opted for better clear air over the advantaged but crowded pin end of the line. Unfortunately, a couple of larger boats got past in the first hundred yards.

Full Moon approaches the starting line.

The wind improved slightly approaching the Freeway buoy but a boat close behind to leeward prevented a tack until getting close to Gasworks. This proved helpful, though, as the resulting course heading west generally had better wind than some other options. A tack near the Westlake shore ended up bringing Full Moon right to the Aurora buoy for a tight rounding to avoid traffic.

Slingshot (left) and Necessary Evil (right) sneaking up from behind.

Once around, it was difficult to escape the wind shadow from third start boats Slingshot and Necessary Evil, both flying large spinnakers. Heading toward the middle of the lake (always a good idea) eventually brought clear air and Full Moon passed both boats, at least for a while, despite not flying a spinnaker. Unfortunately, speedy Summer Salt (Harbor 20) got better wind from behind and ended up ahead at the AGC buoy as the breeze finally filled in.

The wind slowly fills in. That may be Full Moon on the far left.

It was a straight shot to the finish line where Full Moon expected to be second (at best) behind Summer Salt, but it turned out they were in third start and Full Moon got the horn for first place!

Daniel holds the proof - a Gold Duck!