Close Cover!

Tammy enjoys a brief bit of sun.

Daniel bundles up while Dad enjoys the nice breeze.

The Olson is coming!

The final Goosebump race fittingly offered a good breeze and cool temperatures but no rain. Full Moon crew Randy “Dry Buns” Olsen, Michael “Wet Pack” Medina, Tammy “Wrapped Up” Cross, Chuck “The Road” Weldy, Daniel “Hangin’ On” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Stayin’ Alive” Mengedoht lined up for a decent starboard tack start near the Committee Boat but a large pack of boats barged in from the right and Full Moon bailed out to leeward to avoid collisions. A good part of the first leg was then a quest for clear air, though Full Moon did manage to pass a few boats.

After a short reach to the Cove buoy, the mighty Equalizer was launched to good effect to get past a few more. The takedown was a bit messy to round the Freeway buoy but it didn’t cause any loss of speed, other than a spinnaker sheet dragging through the water for awhile. The leg to the Aurora buoy was nearly close-hauled and then it was time to head south to complete the first lap.

Rounding the AGC buoy, the Ranger 26 Runner was not far ahead and, while they had launched their spinnaker for this leg, Full Moon gained under genoa and actually caught up at the Cove buoy. Runner had some challenges with their jibe and Full Moon was able to get out ahead once the Equalizer was launched. Since the Equalizer was originally made for a Ranger 26, the boats were pretty evenly matched on the run/reach to the Freeway buoy.

Despite a little shrimping on the takedown, Full Moon maintained the lead on Runner on the leg to the Aurora buoy but an Olson 30 also joined the hunt. Full Moon would have a tough time holding off both boats to the finish! Full Moon tacked right at the buoy, Runner delayed her tack, and the Olson tacked just to windward of Full Moon’s line. With Full Moon on a good course for the line, Runner’s delayed tack cost them some critical distance but the Olson was soon nipping at Full Moon’s transom. However, Full Moon was able to point just high enough to keep the Olson in dirty air and, try as they might, they could not gain any further. Amazingly, Full Moon even made some gains in the puffs on the speedy 30 footer. In the end, Full Moon was eighth, tying our best finish for the series.

Full Moon ended up placing an excellent sixth overall in the Goosebump series while our good friends on The Black Knight took first. Way to go, Black Knight!