e-Sheet — April 24, 2006
eNewsletter of the Lansing Sailing Club
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Lightning Racing Season Launched
RC Orientation Wed 6:30
  • April 30 - Jim Fletcher and Walt DeGruyter
  • May 7 - Bob Miller and Bill Pratt
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    "Wind Dancer"
    coming to the finish

    Harrison challenging
    for first place

    A cold, overcast, rainy day greeted Lightning sailors as they began their 2006 racing season. "Wind Dancer" set the pace with three wins. Pat Dolan drove the boat in the first and third races with Chris Miller and Bob Miller crewing. Chris Miller, last year's Junior Sailor of the Year, took over skippering duties in the middle race.

    Newcomer Jonathon Ahlbrand did well in his first racing efforts, finishing second twice and third in the final race. Jim Fletcher was in the middle and Julie Pierce in the front of the boat.

    Neil Harrison and crew John Quensen and Susanna Tellschow were close behind Ahlbrand in the first two races to score third place finishes. Then, in the final race, they challenged "Wind Dancer" all the way to the finish for a second.

    John R Calkins 1921-2006

    By Larry Koster. John R. Calklins, a long time member of LSC passed away on Sunday, April 10th at age 85. John was an iceboater and a very competitive Sunfish sailor. I first met John in 1974.

    John Calkins made arrangements to purchase the arborvitae trees (cedar) at a good price that now provide the tall green 'fence' on the northern and eastern edges of the LSC property. It can be said that the arborvitae is a living memorial to John.

    The DeGruyters and the Kosters attended Satuday's memorial services for John.

    Ahlbrand Initiated into LSC Lightning Racing

    "Bananas" crew flying the kite

    Jonathan Ahlbrand got his first taste of LSC Lightning racing from the skipper position - and had a successful day. In addition to finishing second twice and third once, Jonathan noted "I learned alot and had a good time."

    Jim Fletcher went along to help show Jonathan some of the ins and outs of the boat Jim sold him. Julie Pierce worked the front of the boat and made some suggestions based on her experience sailing other Lightnings.

    Look for the newest LSC member to build quickly on this experience and continue to push the leaders.

    Lightning Fleet Initiates "Challenger" Division


    Chris Miller getting a good start

    The Lightning Fleet is initiating a new wrinkle this year with the advent of a "Challenger" Division. Special recognition will be given to the top sailors in this new division at the Annual Awards Banquet.

    The division excludes any skippers who finished in the top thirty percent of all qualifiers over the past six seasons.

    Chris Miller established an early lead in the Challenger division with her first place finish and 110 points. Jonathon Ahlbrand and Neil Harrison are tied for second with 72 points.

    Safety Boat Motor Needs Replacing


    LSC's Safety Boat

    Club Boat Director Doug Carlson received a tough report card from the repair shop when they got the Safety Boat motor on the bench.

    In for repair of the water cooling system, which wasn't flowing properly, the mechanics found much more serious problems.

    Doug has asked for details on what we can expect to receive on trade and the cost of a four stroke replacement motor.

    The bad news of course is that we need to replace the motor. The good news however, is that the new four stroke motors are much quieter, environmental friendly and reliable.

    Coming Events Detail
  • April 25 (Tue) Lightning Practice. 6:30 pm. to Dusk. New sailors welcome.
  • April 30 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races at 1:00 pm.
  • May 2 (Tue) Lightning Practice. 6:30 pm. to Dusk. New sailors welcome.
  • May 7 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races at 1:00 pm.
  • May 9 (Tue) Lightning Practice. 6:30 pm. to Dusk. New sailors welcome.
  • May 11 (Thu) Lightning Racing. No Skippers Meeting - report on water. First of three scheduled races at 6:30 pm.
  • May 14 (Sun) Mother's Day - no racing.
  • May 16 (Tue) Lightning Practice. 6:30 pm. to Dusk. New sailors welcome.
  • May 20 (Sat) Lake Lansing One Day Lightning Regatta.
  • May 21 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races at 1:00 pm.
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    e-Sheet is a periodic newsletter of the Lansing Sailing Club. Copies of previous e-Sheets are in the archives section of our web site at www.lansingsailing.org.
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    Copyright © 2006 by the Lansing Sailing Club, 6039 East Lake Drive, PO Box 51, Haslett, Michigan 48840.