Equalized!

The wind was light out of the northwest for the Goth Night Duck Dodge and the starting line angle made a starboard tack approach impossible. Full Moon crew Michael “What’s The Score” Medina, Marcelle “In My Pocket” Van Houten, Daniel “Tippy Toes” Mengedoht, Poorva “Runner” Joshi, and skipper John “Channeling Randy” Mengedoht were very nearly over early but managed a good start and briefly led the fleet. Tailwind (Capri 25) had more speed crossing the line and was able to roll by to windward to take the lead.

Full Moon leads third start, at least for a while.

Wildfire (Mirage 24) and Necessary Evil (Catalina 30) converged just in front at the Freeway buoy while Mouse (J30) and Slingshot (J30) closed from behind. Full Moon tacked to avoid sitting in disturbed wind from the boats right in front, gambling that the wind would be somewhat consistent across the north end of the lake. Wildfire fell back but the J30s pulled ahead, Full Moon rounding the Aurora buoy in fifth place.

Full Moon closes in on Tailwind, left, Mouse, center, and Slingshot right. The blue boat was from second start.

The Equalizer was soon launched and, following many years of advice from Original Crew Randy Olsen, Full Moon headed more toward the middle of the lake while the leaders battled it out closer to the Westlake shore. The combination of the mighty oversized spinnaker and course was magic as Full Moon reeled in and passed all the boats save Necessary Evil before rounding the AGC buoy.

Full Moon on approach to the AGC buoy.

With a smooth spinnaker takedown, Full Moon was off on a straight shot to the finish line, getting the horn for second place and the Silver Duck! Mouse was third, followed by Tailwind and Slingshot.

We were treated to a beautiful sunset, post race.