Moonlight Sail Tonight (Friday)

Friday is Moonlight Sail night. Bring a small dessert to pass at 8 and plan to cruise or sail Lake Lansing for a while. There will be a full moon - with moonrise about 10:30.

Get Ready for Saturday Small Boat Clinic

Build Confidence in sailing skills

The Small Boat Clinic this Saturday is a great opportunity to improve boat handling skills and is open to all members. Although there is a racing emphais to the Clinic - non-racers will come away much more confident in their ability to sail a small boat. The only cost is for lunch. If you don't have a Laser or Sunfish or other single hander to sail - contact Vice-Commodore Pat Dolan to arrange for a boat.

To get ready, take a look at the following web page (also accessable from the "Education" page of the LSC web site by clicking the button "Get the Most Out of the Small Boat Clinic"):
www.lansingsailing.org/Education/Clinics/SmallSailBoatSeminar2004-GetMostOutOfIt.htm

The Clinic will begin promptly at 9 am and run through 5 pm. Mike Moody is in charge and he has prepared some video and mini-lectures - but most of the time will be spent in on the water activities.

Junior Racing Program to Begin Tuesday

A couple of LSC Junior Sailors sailing last Tuesday

Following a month of Junior Sailing that emphasized sailing basics, Junior Sailors are now invited to participate in a Junior Racing Program on Tuesday evenings for the remainder of the summer. Four short races will be held each Tuesday beginning at 6:30 with awards handed out at the end of each evening.

A handicap system will be used so that each sailor will have a good opportunity to win races. For more information, contact Vice-Commodore Pat Dolan.

Bob Miller and Julie Pierce Win "Crew Takes the Helm" Races

Race Committee members Walt and Antje Benenson with Lightning racers in the background

As the boats left the dock in drifting conditions, Lightning sailors were wondering if there would be any racing. As they approached the starting line however, the wind began picking up ahead of a weather system that was raining buckets between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

By the start of the race, the wind had begun shifting from the North to the West. Bob Miller, driving "Wind Dancer" with Terry Kleiman crewing, got off to a great start and led the fleet to the top mark. As boats went around the windward mark, the Race Committee hurried to reset the course to reflect a sixty degree shift. Bob was still ahead at the second windward mark, but a spinnaker began to fly behind him. Still, he hung on to post a win. Julie Pierce was urging her crew to do their best - and they made up a lot of ground with Blaine and Geoff Severin flying the spinnaker. However, Tom Rasmussen, sailing "Shibumi" with Gary Marx and Larry Koster, nosed her out at the finish.

Julie Pierce takes "Unidentified Flying Pigasus" back to windward in Race two

The wind continued to shift left and increase in speed so the Race Committee quickly moved the course for the second race. In this race, "Wind Dancer" was over early and had to restart as Julie Pierce hit the line with speed to establish a leadership position. From then on, she was in control and posted the win in race two. Susanna Tellschow was recruited to drive "Moody's Booty" with newcomer Ann Baker and Mike Moody crewing. In a spirited contest for third, Bob Miller held on as "Shibumi" came on strong with spinnaker drawing well and Gary Marx driving the boat.

As the second race drew to a close, the wind again increased in tempo. With gusts of 20 or more and a darkening sky, the sailors called it a day, put their boats away and congratulated the winning skippers at the awards ceremony.

It is always good to see crew members perform so well at the tiller and to enjoy the time they spend on and off the water at LSC. Thanks to everyone for participating and to the Benenson's for serving on Race Committee..

Wednesday Storm Cancels Racing

There were a lot of sailors on hand ready to go racing - but mother nature brought her light show and sent everyone home or to Spags early.

Complete results for prior races and current standings can be found on the racing page of the LSC web site at www.lansingsailing.org.

Carlson to Sail Port Huron to Mackinac this Weekend

A Catalina 36

LSC's Doug Carlson will be aboard "Sorority" in this year's Port Huron to Mackinac race that starts Saturday morning.

Bayview Yacht Club, host of the race, will offer real time results, race updates by email and a web cam at the finish at www.byc.com/mack05/. Two hundred sixty-six boats are registered to participate.

"Sorority" is a Catalina 36 owned by Paul Corneliussen of Rochester who named his boat to honor his three daughters, Kristin, Sara and Hanna.

• July 24 (Sun): John Melchor and Sam Austin
• July 31 (Sun): Joel Shapiro and Phill Carbonell

• The complete Calendar of Events is on the LSC Web Site. Click on "Calendar"
• Tuesday is Junior Sailing and Lightning Practice Day.
• Lightnings Race Sundays
• Lasers and Sunfish Race Wednesdays

• Swedish Match Tour. Professional Match Racing at venues throughout the world.
• America's Cup Racing. Acts 6 and 7 will be held in Sweden beginning in late August.