Lightning Racing for 2008 Begins - MS Jost Shines as Skipper

Close quarters racing on the downwind leg

MS Jost and Tom Hutton do some pre-race planning

Lightning racing for 2008 got underway Sunday with great sailing conditions. There was plenty of wind, but not overpowering. Still, with a new sailor on board one boat, and a new skipper aboard another with a crew lacking Lightning experience, it was agreed that spinnakers would be left in their bags for the day.

"Wind Dancer", with Bob Miller and Gil Chesbro crewing and Pat Dolan at the helm, won the first and third race and finished second in the middle race. "Moody's Booty", sailed by Mike Moody and Terry Kleiman, won the second race and finished in the number two spot for the other two races.

Jonathan Ahlbrand had regular Bob Bell on board as well as newcomer Laura Carrion. The posted third place finishes in each race.

Michael-Salomon Jost took his first turn at the "Shibumi" helm with his own crew. Tom Hutton, another newcomer to our Lightning racing, but with a solid sailing background, crewed for MS. In each race, they finished a close fourth - quite an accomplishment for Michael who has never driven the boat in Sunday competition.

Michael got high marks from his competitors. His starts were solid, boat speed very good and it is obvious he is moving quickly up the ladder of acquiring tactical skill.

The lesson of Sunday was again the need to read which side to be on - then to get in phase. In each race, the boat that best learned this lesson emerged as leader early on the first leg and went on to win. Race one began with Moody coming in on port with speed and sailing underneath Dolan who had tacked to port at the gun. Dolan split and went left where he found new wind and a big left shift that propelled "Wind Dancer" into first place. Race two found "Moody's Booty going left right away and sailing a favorable shift to round the windward mark in first.

Race three's start was dramatic with short but big gusts of wind quickly blowing through - first a lefty as the race started, then a righty and then another lefty. "Wind Dancer" was able to start on port and, within just a few boat lengths was hit by the right hander and immediately tacked, putting all the other boats to leeward of her. When the next shift came in, she tacked again to consolidate her lead and went on to win.

Lightning racing continues next Sunday (May 4), and then a special Thursday (May 8) race day instead of Mother's Day.

Anna Hamilton is running races again in 2008

Mike Moody and Terry Kleiman check line length

"Wind Dancer" rounds the leeward mark

They Tied the Knot: LSC Sailors Adrianne Tuttle and Scott Watkins became Mr. and Mrs. in a MSU Alumni Chapel ceremony Saturday

Coming Events Detail