• Final Prep for Saturday Laser and Sunfish Clinic
• Jim Fletcher Rocks and Rolls Sunfish - Siegle is Hot on Laser
• Commodore
's Letter

• July 19. Saturday. Laser/Sunfish Seminar and Clinic. 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• July 20. Sunday. Lightning Racing - Race Day 13. 12:30 Skip Mtg. 1:00 First of Three Races.
• July 21. Monday. Discover Sailboat Racing. Class 3. 6:00 to 8:30 PM.
• July 22. Tuesday. Lightning Skipper and Crew Practice.
• July 23. Wednesday. Laser and Sunfish Racing. First of four races starts at 6:30 pm. Spagnoula's for pasta, liquid refreshment and "the Rules Quiz" after racing.
• July 24. Thursday. Crew Race Day - Crew Takes the Helm. 6:30 PM.
• July 27. Sunday. Lightning Racing - Race Day 14. 12:30 Skip Mtg. 1:00 First of Three Races.
• July 29. Tuesday. Lightning Skipper and Crew Practice. Anyone interested in crewing is invited to participate.
• July 30. Wednesday. Laser and Sunfish Racing. First of four races starts at 6:30 pm. Spagnoula's for pasta, liquid refreshment and "the Rules Quiz" after racing.
• July 31. Sunday. Lightning Racing - Race Day 15. 6:30 First of Three Races. No Skip Mtg, Check in with RC on Water.

• July 20 (Sun): Terry Kleiman and Dave MacKenzie
• July 27 (Sun): Blaine Severin and Merrick Hurlbutt

• No coverage is scheduled in the immediate future. Sign up to receive notices of future telecasts by Gary Jobson (ESPN) at www.jobsonsailing.com

Final Prep for Saturday Laser and Sunfish Clinic

The Laser/Sunfish Seminar this coming Saturday, July 19th will start at 9 AM. Be sure to participate. You will end up sailing better, faster, smarter and safer. Laser and Sunfish sailors will use their our own boats and other members can take advantage of the three Club Sunfish and the Club Laser (Please sign up in advance to use one of these Club Boats at the Club House - first come-first served).

Vice Commodore Mike Moody has been doing final preparations all week - getting ready to use techniques and drills used at the Rick White Seminar held in Key Largo each spring. Be sure to have your boats rigged and ready so we can start on time. There will be an important information meeting promptly at 9 AM to set up the format for the day.

The price is right - just bring yourself and a lunch (or funds to get a sandwich at a local eatery). The weather forecast calls for "Mostly sunny with highs in the low '80s." Mike also suggests we bring dry clothes and plenty of water to drink - and get ready for a great and enjoyable day.

Jim Fletcher Rocks and Rolls Sunfish

Jim Fletcher was the Sunfish leader in racing yesterday evening. He had three first place finishes and a second. Nine Sunfish were on the water enjoying a beautiful wind, fair temps and good racing.

On the Laser side were thirteen sailors competing. George Siegle had two first place finishes - one coming from behind to just nose out Mike Moody. Olav Messerschmidt spent several races engaged in target practice with the marks - then decided that it was slow to do circles and won the last race of the evening. Ken Knight came out of a crowded mark rounding well to place third in the final race of the evening. Thanks to Doug Carlson, Mike Moody and Pat Dolan for sailing alongside new skippers and doing some coaching - results are showing.

Find complete results and standings through the Race Results page of the Club web site at www.lansingsailing.org.

Commodore's Letter

July 2003

Maybe because we're officially in the second half of our season, or I'm noticing that the sun goes down earlier each Wednesday night racing, but I thought I'd share with you some successes and opportunities to expand your sailing before the summer is over.

First off, our board has achieved wonderful things this year and for the past several years. I might be the figurehead, but much of the work gets done by you, our members, orchestrated by our board members. I want to thank our board of directors for their tireless efforts to think about the long term health of the club and act on it. Whether that be hosting impromptu practice sessions, take a new sailor under their wing (at the expense of their own finishes) or spending countless hours running financial scenarios to see if the club could take advantage of opportunities to expand, your board has done great things.

Most of you know that I have spent less time on the water this year than in past years. I think I have a solution for all of you who just can't seem to swing the time to get out sailing, or are frustrated by your annual pecking order in the standings: shake things up. Make weekly sailing an appointment on your calendar. I missed the entire first month of Laser racing because of my work. Maybe you're the same way, so put it on your calendar and do whatever it takes - work later on in the evening, work early or through lunch. Rearrange your other evenings to take time off to sail one night a week.

Set goals if you never have before and revise past years' goals: Is your last year goal one to finish mid fleet or ahead of a certain sailor? Revise that goal. Vow to only have fun, and to improve in one race an evening, take one risk each race you normally never would. Is your goal to spend time with your kids on Saturdays? Make a date to sail and have a picnic. But, give one night a week to yourself - it will do you a lot of good.

Take advantage of the ad-hoc educational opportunities your fellow sailors are hosting. Pat, Mike and Terry have done a fabulous job getting sailors on the water on Tuesdays for practice.

Attend Tuesday night practice in Lightnings. If you need help tuning your boat, meeting new crew, or sailing, you need to be here. It can radically improve your performance if you practice weekly.

Attend our Small Boat Sailing Drill Clinic, this Saturday, a full day of starts, roundings and drills Mike practiced at the Rick White seminars in Key Largo. It's not Mike Moody teaching us; it's Mike getting our butts in the boat and letting each of us whip ourselves into shape. Be ready to go at 9:-00 and pack a lunch. It's free. Can't come for a full day? Come for a morning or an afternoon (I'll be there in the afternoon myself). We have three Club Sunfish and a Laser if you don't have a singlehander of your own.

Twist it up. If you've spent too many years racing in the same spot, kick back and relax a bit. Sail more for pleasure, not for the trophy. If you've spent every year in the back of the fleet, get out and practice, you WILL move up, and sometimes all takes is a Loos gauge and an hour a week on the water.

And, last but not least, help out: If you've not done your deck duty yet, get going. You have a team leader, one of our board members, who can get you going. If you're unsure, give me a call or send me an e-mail. Also sign up for your race committee. With the new starting signal system, you can practically kick back and do nothing! July is the time, as the Commodore, I review completion of duty obligations and notify people who have obligations outstanding. Save me some time by making sure you are signed up and on the schedule to complete your membership obligations.

And one last note, if your Commodore seems unusually preoccupied before racing, it is that my mode of racing involves putting my head in the game. When my head is in the game, I am focused on being a sailor, not your Commodore. But come to me after racing, and I'm again your elected leader, ready to help.

See you on the water. I promise.

Commodore Ann Siegle