Tria Design Open House Friday - You're Invited

Ann Siegle

Ann Siegle invites all LSC members and friends to an open house this Friday (Dec 3) at the new offices of Tria Design from 5 to 7 pm. The Tria office is at 1103 N Washington Ave - just across from Elderly Instruments.

"Please come help us celebrate the holidays, and our new digs" says Ann. "Vote on paint colors for my office and more!"

Tria Design is a Lansing area creative design and marketing company formed by Ann, Linda Brennan and Tina Block. The LSC logo and burgee graphics are both courtesy of Tria Design as are the graphics for several posters, flyers and other documents.

Don't Forget Spags Next Wednesday

Lansing Sailors will get together at "Spags" next Wednesday (Dec 8th) at 7 pm for our monthly informal gathering. Spagnoula's is located on the north side of Grand River east of Okemos between Cornell Road and Meridian Road. Bring a friend for the pasta special (or other menu choices), some sailing talk, and the traditional race quiz. There are some changes in the rules beginning in 2005 - so the quiz master will have some new roads to take us down.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas and Other New Web Site Goodies

The 2004 Stocking Stuffer ideas are now on the web site. Click on the link at the top of the home page at www.lansingsailing.org. A link is also on the "Gift Ideas" page found in the "Sailing Resources" area.

With this issue of e-Sheet we include links to "Sailing Events Underway". These links are for special round the world races and world sailing events. Current listings are for Ellen MacArthur's campaign to set a new single-handed round the world record, the Global Challenge amateur round the world race and the Vendee Globe race single-handed around the world.

The web site also has a couple of new features. The "Members Only" area now has a link to a page of LSC logos. Members can use these logos for personal web sites, making stickers or for clothing.

The home page right hand column (bottom) has links to International Sailing Federation coverage of world sailing news items. On the racing page are links to major international regattas. Both of these items are courtesy of the ISF webmaster.

New Racing Rules Coming for 2005

Every four years, the Racing Rules of Sailing are revised. The next four year period is 2005 through 2008. US Sailing members should have already received their copy of the new rules. The new rules can also be viewed or downloaded from the US Sailing web site at http://www.ussailing.org/rules/.

With these new rules, Dave Perry has updated his book "Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing" which is sold through US Sailing and other sources. Those interested in obtaining a copy on-line can do so through the US Sailing Store.

Beginning in the new year, e-Sheet will be covering the major changes in the Racing Rules.

Moody BloKart Turns Into Snowman

Editors Note: Commodore Mike sends us the following BloKart adventure story.

Mike BloKarting about this time last year

After half a night working to clear parking lots of newly fallen snow, the sun made a rare appearance and brought some wind with it. I couldn't resist a few turns on my favorite Blokart pad at the local university.

The five meter sail was probably a bit much for the 14-16 mph winds, but I was not planning on a long afternoon so decided to keep it up. I was just making my last run for the day and went deep into the high speed "corner of death" on this sailing venue. As luck would have it, a puff hit just as I came out of the jibe and I knew it would be a great finish to a sunny and windy afternoon.

Unfortunately. the puff was stronger than anticipated and the sheet twisted tight enough from the whip to the boom to keep me from letting off a bit. Steering the Kart under the mast, I recovered just enough to catapult off the dry asphalt pad and onto the grass - which was still covered with several inches of wet heavy snow.

The resulting skid and spin sent snow, grass and BloKart flying. The BloKart ended bottom side up, with the pilot (me) now looking down and enjoying a real close encounter with Michigan weather.

Although covered with the wet heavy stuff, I went home happy knowing I may have just initiated the first Snow/Blokart in North America. It must have been spectacular - 'cause I got a horn salute from one of the several passing motorists. Maybe I should suggest Blokart skis to the manufacturer as their next innovation!

• 2004 Racing Schedule Complete. Thanks to all for their fine Race Committee work.

• December 8, LSC Informal Gathering, Spagnoulas, 7 pm.
• January 11, LSC Sailing Seminar, 7 pm.
• February 3-6, Strictly Sail -Chicago, Navy Pier.
• February 5-6, North U Racing Trim Seminar, Chicago-Navy Pier.
• February 8, LSC Sailing Seminar, 7 pm.
• February 12-13, North U Racing Trim Seminar, Detroit.

• Ellen MacArthur. Left England Nov 28 on single handed round the world speed record quest. Must finish by 7:04 on Feb 9.
• Global Challenge. 17 ordinary men and women with one professional sailor race east to west around the world.
• Vendee Globe. 20 sailors racing around the world single handed, non-stop, without assistance. Began Nov 7.