Dolan On Boat That Gets Second in Mac Race

Laura LEE charging to the finish

In his first Port Huron to Mackinac race, Pat Dolan found a great boat to be on. Not only was the 44 foot Irwin named "Laura LEE" a very comfortable ride, but Team Laura LEE finished second in the Cruising C Class and took home a flag to fly.

Doug Carlson sailed the 2006 Mac Race again on Sorority, a 36 foot Catalina owned by Paul Corneliussen of Rochester. "While there are many memorable parts of the trip," said Doug, "I think the one that is most significant is how absolutely beautiful it was Saturday evening. In all my years of sailing Lake Huron, I can't remember a more perfect night of sailing. A clear warm night with a star filled sky, a late rising moon and a good westerly breeze made sailing 7 knots with a asymmetrical spinnaker the perfect ride."

Doug Carlson at the helm of "Sorority"

Doug also reported that there were two special events on Sorority this year. "The owner and captain was becoming an "Old Goat" and his 15 year old daughter was sailing her first Mackinac Race." Note: Click here to see a story about them in the Oakland Press.

Kirsten is a sophomore at Rochester High School and sails in the North Star Sail Club's junior program. She has been sailing for about eight years. "I like just being out on the water," she said in an interview with the Oakland Press. "It's something my dad likes to do, too, and it's a bond thing between the two of us."

An excited Kirsten brings "Sorority" to the finish with her proud "Old Goat" father beside her

When someone has sailed 25 Mac races, they become an "Old Goat". In this 82nd Port Huron to Mackinac race, Corneliussen joins this very exclusive club.

"For a dinghy sailor with no distance racing background, this was quite an experience," said Pat Dolan. "I was a little worried whether I could really contribute to the effort. However, when I awoke early Monday morning to find 'light and variable' conditions, it was a lot like some of the regular sailing we see on Lake Lansing and I was in my element. We didn't sail fast, but when everyone else isn't going anywhere, any movement toward the finish line is a big morale booster. We passed a lot of boats - ghosting along in the moonlight - and positioned ourselves for a big finishing leg."

"Laura Lee" gave her all to be second. On Saturday night, the A-Sail ripped away at the tack and the crew had to pull out a back-up spinnaker. On the last six mile leg to the finish, the velcro strip attaching the clew of the mainsail to the boom ripped off as winds hit more than 32 knots. Fortunately, the outhaul held the sail in place while the crew added a short safety line. Then, 100 yards from the finish, the genoa ripped in a huge gust and "Laura Lee" sailed the remaining yards on her main alone. "What a way to finish," said Dolan. "We went from 3 knots of wind going past Bois Blanc Island to 20 knots and above for the last six miles to Mackinac Island."

Both Pat and Doug look forward to sailing the 2007 Port Huron to Mackinac race.

Crew Takes the Helm Tonight (Thursday, July 20)

The annual "Crew takes the Helm" race night is tonight. We're looking forward to seeing lots of Lightnings on the water with the crew showing their capabilities.

Junior Sailors Get First Taste of Racing in 2006.

Junior Sailors began this season's racing last Tuesday evening. The first evening of racing is always a bit of a struggle as the sailors become familiar with the race course and starting sequence. Results soon.

Junior racing continues next Tuesday.

Laser for Sale

Jim Kennedy's Laser is for sale

The estate of Jim Kennedy, a former member of Lansing Sailing Club and Laser sailor, must sell his Laser to settle Jim's affairs.

The estate is offering the boat to members of the Lansing Sailing Club before advertising it to the public. They are asking $750 (or best offer) for the boat.

The mast & hull of the boat along with a tarp & dolly are at the Lansing Sailing Club. Contact Commodore Mike Moody or Vice-Commodore Pat Dolan if uncertain which boat it is. The remaining items (sail, centerboard, rudder, rudder post & tiller) are with a former neighbor of Jim's.

Pictures of the boat are available through a link on the Picture page of the LSC web site - or click on the picture of Jim's boat to go directly there.

Anyone interested in purchasing Jim's Laser should contact Bob Wilson by phone at 281-723-9570 (mobile), 832-636-7040 (work), or 281-251-5508 (home). He can also be reached by email at bobtx1_us@yahoo.com.

Mike and Dean's Excellent BloKart Adventure - Part II

Finally, some Blokarting

Class Action Racing continues its story of Mike Moody and Dean Kitchen's BloKart Adventure with part two. In this episode they escape from nowheresville.

Read Part II of this humorous tale at www.classactionracing.com.

Girl Scouts Work on Badges

Girl Scouts with Vice-Commodore Dolan

A group of Girl Scouts have been coming to the Lansing Sailing Club over the past several weeks to work on their Water Fun and Small Craft badges. They went sailing in Sunfish the first session and worked on water safety and water games the second session. In a final session, they will be sailing on Lightnings.