Wind Dancer Sweeps on an Exciting Race Day

Koster edging out Tellschow in Race 3 Pictures by Stephen Wagner

Wind Dancer charging to windward

Bo Jangles splitting with UFP

UFP inside at the mark in Race 2

"Wind Dancer" took first place in all three Lightning races Sunday. But it wasn't easy as all the sailing teams have significantly improved.

The first of Sunday's three races was sailed in a moderate breeze. After an aggressive start by all the boats, everyone tried to get in phase with the oscillating wind. However, this proved a difficult task. Some tacked immediately when headed while others who dug further into the hearder were sometimes rewarded with a larger shift they could leverage. Just as often, the opposite proved true - and the pattern was difficult to determine.

Pat Dolan, Bob Miller and Gil Chesbro in "Wind Dancer" eventually eeked out a lead they carried to the finish. Larry Koster was close behind in "Shibumi" and Merrick Hurlbutt's "Bo Jangles" wrapped up third place.

The "Shibumi" team of Koster, Michael-Salomon Jost and Gary Marx split from the fleet early in the second race and found some clear air to round ahead at the first mark. "Wind Dancer" was next around the mark, but promptly sailed into a patch of light air. Meanwhile "UFP" and "Bo Jangles", followed "Wind Dancer" around the mark, but split and both found nice wind streams on opposite sides of the course to sail past Dolan.

When the boats arrived at the leeward mark, Susanna Tellschow in "UFP" was inside and jumped into second place with "Bo Jangles" third and "Wind Dancer" fourth. The wind speed was building, now pushing 15. Even though they were a light team, Susanna, Julie Pierce and John Kolstoe did a good job of depowering and were close on the transom of Koster as the fleet neared the windward mark.

As Koster came to the mark, a big wind shift stopped and then pushed them into the mark. "UFP" took advantage and jumped into the lead. However, "Wind Dancer" came up quickly on a gust. "UFP", concerned they were running too much by the lee for safe sailing, gybed away but had difficulty executing. This gave Dolan, Miller and Chesbro a path to first place. Tellschow and crew gave a final run at winning as they came toward the finish on a plane. But "Wind Dancer" had just enough speed to stay ahead. Koster, having to do a circle as a result of hitting the mark finished third.

Race three was sailed in solid 15-17 winds - but everyone was on top of their game and there were no mishaps. "Wind Dancer" won while Koster and crew managed to finish a quarter of a boat length ahead of Tellschow-Pierce-Kolstoe.

Dolan continues to lead in the season standings, but any of the skippers could make a run and jump ahead - particularly if there are more boats participating.

Thanks to Mike Moody and Bill Wadland for serving on Race Committee. Also a special thanks to Stephen Wagner for his excellent pictures.

Results are posted along with updated season standings. Look for them on the Lansing Sailing Club website at www.lansingsailing.org. Click on "Racing", then on the Lightning logo.

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