Fading Light

Full Moon crew Randy “Halyards” Olsen, Art “Smooth Jibe” Teller, Grace “Freshman” Teller, Chuck “Hercules” Weldy, and skipper John “No Doughnut” Mengedoht hit the starting line at full speed and right at the horn for the next to last Duck Dodge. Unfortunately, this was near the disadvantaged end of the line but the location did provide clear “air” and Full Moon was, for a short while at least, in second place. A collision at the AGC buoy between a dark blue Thunderbird and 36-foot Mata Hari created a large knot of boats which forced Full Moon to the outside for a painful rounding but prompt hoisting of the mighty Equalizer spinnaker offset most of the loss.

A smooth jibe at the Challenger buoy led to a long run up the lake with Full Moon holding even with nearby boats, though all the traditional rivals were already well behind. The second lap was similar to the first, apart from Mata Hari developing a nasty twist in their huge asymmetrical spinnaker during a jibe, perhaps a bit of karma for hitting the Thunderbird.

Starting the final leg upwind, Full Moon was tenth, just behind two blue T-birds. Holding to the middle of the lake brought a bit stronger breeze and some favorable shifts to push Full Moon ahead but then the trend reversed and the dratted Birds crossed just ahead. However, it was quite nice to finish ahead of Mata Hari, Tenacious, assorted J22s and J24s and at least half a lap ahead of old rivals Ignitor, Fortis, and Shogun.