Loescher Impressive in Lightning Debut on June 15th

Editor's Note: Blaine Severin provides this account of Sunday, June 15 Lightning Racing on Lake Lansing.

With winds from the SW at 18-26 knots last Sunday (June 15), Wayne Loescher was pressed into service on the "Unidentified Flying Pigesus". This was Wayne's debut in a Lightning race, and first time trimming a spinnaker. Like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Wayne managed to hang on 'til the end.

Race 1 was taken under caution with the "Booty" being the only boat to brave spinnaker service on the final leg. The final windward rounding saw a duel between Ahlbrand's "Bananas" and Severin's "UFP". "Bananas" with Johnathan Ahlbrand, Nikiforos Delatolas and ??? did a penalty circle, conceding the race to the "UFP" with Blaine Severin, John Kolstoe, and Wayne Loescher aboard. Mike Moody with Terry Kleiman and ??? came in hot pursuit, with spinnaker flying, and took 3rd. Wayne's First Race was an ace.

Race 2 had a particularly Lake Lansing feel to it. The wind died to under about 12 knots and shifted repeatedly between South and West. As the boats came to the windward mark, the leaders on the port tack lay line instantly became the followers as the wind went 90 degrees to the right (South to West) and the followers on starboard tack lifted right around the mark. Winds were up, and winds were down, but all boats were comfortable with spinnakers. Ahlbrand's "Bananas" was in a downwind duel at the finish with Mike Moody's "Booty", when Mike suddenly rounded the mark instead of crossing the line - thinking that there was another leg to sail. "Bananas" took first, and Wayne looked on from the "UFP", amazed to take second place. Merrick Hurlbutt in Bojangles took 3rd with the Watson crew, Scott and Adrianne Watson.

Race 3 started at about 12 knots, but clocked up repeatedly to 25. "UFP" lead throughout until the final upwind leg and "Moody's Booty" got an inside rounding. Wayne could, however, taste victory with only ½ boat length to gain on the final leg. "UFP" upped the spinnaker and the wild ride was on. The wind started shifting and the boat started planning. A final gust from the right caught the "Pigs" on port and Waynes' victory tasted like Lake Lansing foam as the "Pigasus" went down. Veteran trimmer Kleiman saw this all, and had time to let go the "Booty" sheet and command their craft to a defensive position to take the black water puff and 1st place. Ahlbrand also saw this and wanted no part. He pulled his spinnaker down in time to garner 2nd. "Bo Jangles II"took 3rd. Wayne got wet.

Severin later apologized to Loescher for dunking him. Wayne responded by accepting an invitation to crew next weekend. "Beats a stick in the eye, anytime", he said.

Complete results and standings can be found on the Lansing Sailing Club website at www.lansingsailing.org.

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