Fun Finale

Holding off Selchie!

Full Moon crew Randy “Sweet Bowline” Olsen, Art “Carnival” Teller, Michael “Half Cup” Medina, Marcelle “Traction Control” Lynde, Daniel “Boxman” Mengedoht, and skipper John “The Kraken” Mengedoht enjoyed an average start for the final Goosebump race in a light southwest breeze. Some of the big boats pulled ahead, along with speedy Cinc-o-sink and the well-sailed T-bird Selchie, but Full Moon matched the pace of two 40-footers, Bolero and Yankee III, rounding the AGC buoy ahead of both, though not by much.

The wind went very light for the second leg and Full Moon had some issues with hoisting the spinnaker pole. Still, Bolero and Yankee III could not pass, the three boats rounding the Cove buoy side by side with Full Moon on the inside. The long reach north saw the wind clock west and then northwest until finally Full Moon had to switch from spinnaker to jib but the Equalizer had taken care of business, allowing Full Moon to gain on Selchie in front and to pull away from Bolero and Yankee III.

After rounding the Freeway buoy, Bolero began to gain but could not sail as tight an angle as Full Moon. Getting closer to the Aurora buoy, Bolero tacked and then had to duck behind Full Moon, which had the right of way on starboard tack. Soon the roles were reversed, though, and Full Moon ended up following Bolero around the buoy.

Fortunately, Bolero did not hoist a spinnaker for the final downwind leg and the Equalizer once again helped Full Moon to pull ahead, though the wind was barely enough to fill the nylon monster. Meanwhile, Selchie had opted to head more toward the middle of the lake, presumably in hopes of finding stronger wind, while Full Moon headed straight for the finish line. As the boats slowly converged, though, it became evident that Full Moon had a (very) slight lead! The challenge would be to stay ahead without allowing Selchie to steal the wind from behind. In the end, Full Moon prevailed, finishing an excellent fifth with Selchie seconds behind in sixth.

Post-race relaxation. Fun times!