New Members Learning to Sail

Julie Halbritter and Carolyn Combs

Roy Davis

The latest members of our Adult "Learn to Sail" program were on the water Thursday. Jim Fletcher took Bobby Bringi and Bump Halbritter on the water in his Lightning while Pat Dolan took their spouses Julie Halbritter and Carolyn Combs in "Wind Dancer".

Also on the water was Roy Davis who has had no difficulty meeting the basic sailing certification requirements and learning to sail one of the Club Sunfish. He is now getting some tiller time to build his confidence.

July 4th Picnic at the Lansing Sailing Club

Some of the Fourth of July Picnic and Fun Regatta Participants

Jim Fletcher again took charge of the on-water festivities at our July 4th Picnic.

This year the sailors had to gather balloons - each having a piece of paper in them with a number on it. The number could be plus or minus - so it didn't much matter how many ballooms you were able to pick up on the water.

After bursting the balloons and talleying the result, a winner was declared and a box of wine awarded. The box was promptly opened and everyone shared in the enjoyment.

Second place was highly disputed. The gamemaster declared that the scores were so close that there would be a final balloon bursting. The team with the slightly higher number was given first choice to take the result and they declined - expecting it might be a negative number. However, when the other team took a pin to the ballon, the result was a +20 - and the second place award of chocolates was theirs. All was well in the end however as the chocolates were shared with everyone.

A good time was had by all.

America's Cup Video On Line

Action from the 32nd America's Cup

We recently saw the one year anniversary of the defender Alinghi's stunning comeback victory over Emirates Team New Zealand in the 32nd America's Cup.

Those of you wishing to relive this event can see seven videos that show key moments of each race and provide some additional background.

Check out some of the behind the scenes support staff activity.

You'll find the videos available through links on the Scuttlebutt website. Go to: www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/08/0630

Lightning Sailors Share First Place Honors Last Sunday

Last Sunday's Lightning racing (July 6) found five crews on the lake competing - and everyone seemed to find their place in the top three at one point or another.

Merrick Hurlbutt kept improving as the day went on, getting a fifth, then a fourth and finally a third with crew Adrianne and Scott Watkins.

Larry Koster sailed with Ron Marshall and Michale-Salomon Jost in "Shibumi". They posted two thirds and a fourth.

Jim and Meribeth Mletcher got Julie Pierce on board and found the winner's circle in the first race. However, they found the wrong side of the course and bad luck the remainder of the day and finished with two BOF's (back of fleet).

With John Kolstoe and Gil Chesbro crewing, Pat Dolan struggled in the first race to finish fourth, but rebounded with a first and a second in the final two races.

Top performer of the day was Jonathan Ahlbrand with his "go-get-em" crew of Nikiforos Delatolas and Tom Hutton. They finished second in each of the first two races - and capped the day with a first as they held off a hard charging "Wind Dancer" .

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

Junior Sailing on Tuesday Evenings Thru Mid-August - Camps a Big Success

Two Junior Sailors go Reaching earlier this week

Junior Sailing action now turns to Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to dusk. All Junior Sailors are invited to come to the Club and sail. Someone from the coaching staff will be on hand to keep an eye on things - and to organize some games or informal racing on the water.

This year during June and early July, the Club ran a series of week-long camps for both new and experienced junior sailors. A total of 21 participated.

Old Sails Wanted for Second Life in Garden

LSC member Sam Austin writes "A colleague of mine is interested in procuring some sailcloth for gardening purposes. Do you know where he might find a supplier? Or, do you know of some old used-up sails that might be available?"

How about it LSC members? Have you got some older sails that want to have a second life in a garden. If so, contact Sam by email at austin@nscl.msu.edu.

Koster Makes Shed Look Fabulous

Larry Koster at work

Larry Koster show again that he is devoted to the Lansing Sailing Club. Thanks to him, the tool shed has a new coat of paint - and looks terrific.

The shed was rebuilt last fall by Jim Fletcher and Wayne Loescher and reroofed by Leif Alton.

Larry's presence is also evident in many other ways. For example, he is responsible for the new Seagull preventers that are on the main dock. With a surface that doesn't take screws, Larry designed a way to lock the preventers to the dock with a hook arrangement that is then tightened with a wing nut.

Thanks Larry.

New Member Chuck Amboy Brings His Toolchest

Chuck Amboy (left) gets help from a Junior Sailor Cooper Frost's Grandfather in replacing light units at the Club

New Lansing Sailing Club member Chuck Amboy has been doing a lot of work at the Club - and everyone is noticing the difference.

In preparation for the 4th he and John Kolstoe trimmed the branches away from the clubhouse, repaired the wayward shingles and elevated the shed nearest the lake. He has more to do on the Racing Equipment Shed - but what a difference he is making.

Before that he replaced all the lights at the Clubhouse. The old ones were rusty and the light in the Men's Changing Room had stopped working. The price was right too - he arranged a donation of new light units that weren't going to be used in a construction project where he works.

Chuck also arranged for a plumber to fix the leak we found in the line coming into the Clubhouse from the township supply.

Thanks Chuck.