e-Sheet — August 21, 2006
eNewsletter of the Lansing Sailing Club
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Fletcher Sails "Splash" to Win. Dolan and Moody Also Win.

Labor Day Picnic
September 4

Members needing to complete their Race Committee Duty obligation are asked to go to the LSC web site at www.lansingsailing.org and check remaining dates where Committee members are needed. Click on "Racing" in the left hand navagation area, then on "Race Committee Schedule and Sign-Up" in the upper right corner of the Racing page. Members can also sign up on line by clicking on "RC Sign-Up" for the date they prefer. As an alternative, contact Susanna Tellschow by email at tellsch@gmail.com to check when Committee is needed and/or to sign-up.

  • August 27 - Two Volunteers Needed
  • September 3 - Two Volunteers Needed

    • "Splash" puts another win on the board

    Jim Fletcher had one of the hot boats Sunday in Lightning racing. After finishing a solid third in the first race, the called all the shifts right, sailed fast and scored a bullet in race two. "We were very fast all day today," said Jim. He was also complimentary of his crew who performed extremely well.

    This was another tough day of racing in terms of calling wind shifts and trying to find more wind. Although the wind was generally oscillating, mother nature kept throwing in some curve balls. In addition, the configuration of the race course made it difficult to see wind coming from more than a couple of hundred yards. Still, there was some exciting and close racing.

    The "Wind Dancer" crew won the first race, claiming the victory over "Moody's Booty" in a nip and tuck, back and forth contest in which either boat could have prevailed. Coming from behind on the last leg (a downwind leg) and threatening to sail to windward of "Booty" and take her air, "Wind Dancer" put Mike Moody and crew in the position of having to reach in order to defend. In the middle of a gust, the Dolan-Miller-Chesbro crew on "Dancer" suddenly bore away and claimed an inside position. "Dancer" was also able to gain separation beyond two boat lengths and then close again to attack from a leeward position - forcing "Booty" away from the finish. With about ten boat lengths to sail to the finish, the Dolan, Miller and Chesbro team gybed clear ahead to win by a narrow margin. "Wind Dancer" added a third and a second in the remaining races.

    "Moody's Booty" got their revenge in the final race as they claimed a lead just before the first windward mark that they were able to protect as they sailed to a well earned win.

    Jonathan Ahlbrand continues to show the fleet that he can challenge the leaders. He racked up a deuce for the second time in the last two Sundays. Blaine Severin, Julie Pierce and Tom Deits claimed a third in the final race (see "Footing Off Can Pay Dividends" in this issue) to account for the remaining to three spots for the day.

    Detailed results and standings can be found soon through links on the "Racing" page of the LSC web site at www.lansingsailing.org.

    Steady Crew and Practice Makes a Difference

    Booty Crew douses spin after finish
    Picture by Joanne Princinsky

    With Jamie Rasmussen back after a mid-summer break and new crew Jason Grimes developing his middle crew skills, Mike Moody is showing how a steady crew and some practice sessions make a difference. Mike had posted 2 wins in fifteen races to start the season. However, in the last fifteen races, he has 5 wins and is consistently at the top of the fleet. Mike and his crew get out about an hour early every Sunday to practice.

    Another example of how consistent crew pays off is the "Bo Jangles II" bunch. Merrick Hurlbutt, with Adrianne Tuttle in front and Scott Watkins in the middle has been sailing very well. With two almost two months remaining in the season, they are already within one of matching the number of top three finishes they had in 2005 - and are already ahead of their first and second place finishes of a year ago.

    Jim Fletcher recruited Tim Potter to sail with him, and with son Eddie back in the boat or with Stephen Wagner gaining experience, they too are sailing fast and putting some good numbers on the scoreboard. Since the first of July, Jim has eight to three finishes, including some big wins.

    Jonathan Ahlbrand has Bob Bell on board regularly, and that is making a difference for him. Jonathan has had some good finishes lately without flying a spinnaker. With a regular third, Jonathan will make a run at the leaders.

    Footing Off Can Pay Dividends

    "Unidentified Flying Pigasus"
    Picture by Joanne Princinsky

    "Flying Pigs" came around the last leeward mark in fourth place, just behind the third place boat. Realizing that the final leg had turned into a parade due to a wind shift, the crew decided to ease the sails slightly and go slightly lower, but faster. This enabled them to pass the boat ahead, which had worked to windward in anticipation the the wind would shift back and require at least one tack. When the wind held however, the "footing" strategy paid off.

    Hurlbutt Leads Close Race for Challenger Division Championship

    Skipper Points thru 8/20
    Merrick Hurlbutt 1754
    Larry Koster 1697
    Jim Fletcher 1582
    Neil Harrison 1245
    Jonathan Ahlbrand 1009
    Susanna Tellschow 758
    John LeFevre 731

    Merrick Hurlbutt is hanging on to a slim lead for the Challengers Division Championship of the Lightning Fleet. With all the leading contenders regularly posting top three finishes, this championship is still up for grabs. The Challengers Division Championship excludes skippers who finished in the top 30 percent of the fleet in one or more of the last five seasons. Pat Dolan, Mike Moody, George Siegle and Blaine Severin are not eligible for the Challenger Division Championship.

    Coming Events Detail
  • August 23 (Wed) Sunfish and Laser Racing. First of four scheduled races at 6:30 pm.
  • August 27 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races.
  • August 30 (Wed) Sunfish and Laser Racing. First of four scheduled races at 6:00 pm.
  • September 3 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races.
  • September 4 (Mon) Labor Day Picnic and Fun Regatta. Picnic at noon followed by on water activity.
  • September 6 (Wed) Sunfish and Laser Racing. First of four scheduled races at 6:00 pm.
  • September 8 (Fri) South Lansing Kiwanis Club Picnic at LSC - 6:00pm
  • September 9 (Sat) Laser Regatta at Fenton Sail Club.
  • September 9-10 (Sat-Sun) White Cap Lightning Regatta at Pontic Yacht Club.
  • September 10 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races.
  • September 16-17 (Sat-Sun) Lightning-Sunfish Regatta at Devils Lake.
  • September 17 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races.
  • September 19 (Tue) Talk Like a Pirate Day.
  • September 23 (Sat) Laser Regatta at Pontiac.
  • September 23-24 (Sat-Sun) "Red Flannel" Lightning Regatta at Chicago.
  • September 24 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races.
  • September 30-Oct 1 (Sat-Sun) Hoosier Lightning Regatta at Wawasee.
  • September 30-Oct 1 (Sat-Sun) Jimmy Talbot Memorial Laser Regatta at Chicago.
  • October 1 (Sun) Lightning Racing. Skippers Meeting at 12:30. First of three scheduled races.
    		•

    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.