Carlson Adds Three More Wins

New Associate Member Aaron Picot

Bob Miller checks his sail trim

Eight Lasers were on the water Thursday to enjoy another of those special days when racing takes place in comfortable temps and a great breeze that pushes the humidity away.

Aaron Picot was on the water in a Club Laser for his second outing - this time as LSC's newest Associte Member.

Doug Carlson continued his winning ways, getting off to good starts and sailing fast around the course to score three bullets.

Scott Watkins had his new boat going well, catching a third place finish in the first race of the day.

Olav Messerschmidt avoided embarassment by catching his pants before they accidently came off while he was giving attention to problems on the rear deck - an event recorded diligently by the Race Committee on their official score sheet. Oh yes, our local exhibitionist sailed solidly too - with a couple of seconds and a third to his credit.

George Siegle missed race one, but then put up good numbers in the other two contests - scoring a third and a second.

In the second race, Pat Dolan got a great start at the pin, crossed the fleet and led at the first mark. He was caught by Carlson, Siegle and Messerschmidt early on the first reach - but climbed back into second on the second windward. Then, George Siegle and Olav Messerschmidt split behind Dolan coming around the final mark - and took advantage of slow tacks by Dolan along with a major wind shift at the end of the leg to catch and pass him at the finish line.

Race three was marked by a 120 degree wind shift that turned a reaching leg into an upwind effort. This was followed by three reachnig legs and follow the leader to the finish. With threatening skies and a storm cell showing on radar, the sailors headed to the beach before a fourth race could be run.

Results and season standings can be found on the LSC website at www.lansingsailing.org. Click on "Racing", then on the Laser logo.

Learn to Sail Program Participants Work on Upwind Skills

Cynthia Uppal, Suzanne Decocq and Stephen Wagner getting the boat on her trailer

Joel DeJong and Maureen Soergel putting their boat away

The Lansing Sailing Club's adult "Learn to Sail" program was in it's second week last Thursday. Participants worked on their upwind and downwind sailing. They also spent time reinforcing skills covered in week one.

Sailing upwind, next to the "no-go" zone is one of the most difficult skills for sailors to master - but this group did a very good job.

Downwind, the emphasis was on sailing a broad reach, steering as much of a downwind course as possible while still keeping the jib full of wind and working efficiently. The gybe was also a point of emphasis, with sailors working to carry out a smooth gybe without over steering the turn.

Everyone also worked more on stopping the boat at a mark or dock. Getting back safely is always important.

Also emphasized were skiills involving getting the boat properly on the trailer, derigging and putting away the boat. It's those little things, like making sure the halyard is immediately attached to the mast ring after removing it from the sail, that make a difference in doing it right - and avoiding potential problems, like losing a halyard up the mast.

The program continues next Thursday with sailors getting into singlehanders. A final session on July 19th gives everyone in the group an opportunity to do some racing - with those ready to drive getting a chance to do that.

Fishbeck Puts a Couple of Bullets On the Board

Thomas Jost getting better with each race

Adam Pinder sailing his first race at LSC

Adam Pinder, new Associate Member at the Lansing Sailing Club, did his first racing in a Sunfish in Wednesday Night Racing - held Thursday this week because July 4th was celebrated on Wednesday. Although being in the boat only a couple of times, Adam joined in the racing and did a good job of getting around the race course for a first timer. Adam is a recent grad of East Lansing and is on his way to Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburg this fall. He has previous big boat experience, but wants to develop singlehanded skills.

Meanwhile, old salt John Fishbeck led the Sunfish Fleet Racing Thursday with two wins and a second. Jim Fletcher took the other first in the third and final race of the day.

Dave Vietti finished second in the first race, then spent time doing some repair in the second and came back to place third in the race three.

Neil Harrison continued his good sailing form with a third and a second before getting to shore with a sky threatening to break loose.

The other third place finish was scored by Michael-Salomon Jost in the middle race of the day. Son Thomas Jost kept improving with each race, going 6-5-4 and besting dad in the final race.

Results and season standings can be found on the LSC website at www.lansingsailing.org. Click on "Racing", then on the Sunfish logo.

Moonlight Sail Attracts a Dozen Last Friday

By Susanna Tellschow. Friday's Moonlight Sail brought about a dozen folks who found good conversation, tasty desserts - and the moon!

Apple Pie, Rhubarb Bread, Cherry Pizza, Coffee Chocolate, Strawberry Shortcake and more ..... mmmm .... preceeded an absolutely fiery sunset.

A little shoreline breeze came up - enough to allow some moon-hunting later, and it showed up big and bright - with a compliment of stars and a few planets.

The next Moonlight Sail is 8pm Friday July 27th - come on out! Some members have been going early to get some dinnertime grilling in. Come early with your dinner fixins' and join the group!

July 4th Crowd Has a Great Time

A nice group overlooked the scattered showers that prevailed during the morning and early afternoon and came out to picnic at LSC. The sun came out and a beautiful day rewarded the persistent ones.

In addition to a real feast off the grill, members contributed tasty salads, desserts and other goodies that made the eating special.

Some volleyball kept the group active while chefs worked the grills.

After the picnic, five boats made their way to the waters of Lake Lansing for a poker game. Each boat started with five cards. After sailing a course laid out by "Race Committee" Maribeth Fletcher and Walt Benenson, the boat could turn in up to two cards and get new ones.

After about five trips around the buoys and collecting new cards each time, the crews went in to see who had accumulated the best hand. A full house won. Each of the boats was able to claim a prize with the best hands picking first.

Some of the group stayed and played Euchre.

All and all, a very nice day at LSC in celebration of the Fourth of July.

Crew Race Night Coming July 19

OK Lightning Skippers. It's time to get your crew ready to race. The event happens on Thursday, July 19th. This year will add into the mix an opportunity for members of the "Learn to Sail" program to participate in this event.

Crew members, this is your chance to help the skipper become refreshed on how difficult it can be to get across the boat in the front. Be sure to do lots of tacks and gybes.

Racing will begin at 6:30. Report on the water.