Mission Improbable

Full Moon is at the far right middle of this photo taken right after the start.

Full Moon crew Michael “Jack Nicklaus” Medina, Marcelle “Dry Drop” Van Houten, Kristen “Deck Ornament” Rue, Daniel “Topo Chico” Mengedoht, and skipper John “Late Again” Mengedoht suffered a poor start for the Medieval Knight Duck Dodge, crossing the line in 19^th place a full 1 ½ minutes after the horn and at the disadvantaged end of the line. The silver lining to this dark cloud was having relatively clear air, enabling Full Moon to pass a good number of boats before rounding the AGC buoy.

Heading for the Freeway buoy, Full Moon will pass all but one of these boats!

The Equalizer was quickly hoisted for the long beam reach north and Full Moon began picking off more boats in the relatively light breeze and then passing a cluster of boats approaching the Freeway buoy. With a clean drop of the spinnaker, Full Moon rounded the buoy and was on to the final leg south.

Full Moon about to round the Freeway buoy, chasing the J22.

Next up was a J-22 from SYC, usually difficult to pass upwind, but Full Moon got past to leeward and pulled away. On this final leg, there was a large gap ahead and a ton of boats behind. Could it be? Approaching the Committee Boat, we heard one horn then another, and, finally, one more horn for Full Moon for the Bronze Duck! An amazing comeback!

Cap'n John reveals the bronze duck on one of the few bare spots left on the mast (without a ladder).