Wednesday Racing on June 15, 2005

It was cool (61) and windy (18). Some sailors never showed up. Some came, took a quick look and left. Some considered sailing. The bunch at left is being entertained with a good story by Dave Vietti as they ponder what to do.

In the end the decision was made - by some - to race.

Our race committee dug deep into the confines of their vehicles, the lost and found box and other sources for some warm clothing - and headed out. If the sailors were going to race, Anna and Laura were going to be there for them.

Gil Chesbro and Wayne Loescher did everyone a big favor by taking out the Safety Boat. It turned out that there was rescuing to be done. More in a coming sequence.

Racing got underway and it looked like the sailors were handling it well. Here the lead lasers head upwind after rounding the leeward mark.

Although the picture quality leaves something to be desired, you can see what happened to one boat. George Siegle's mast broke at the rivet in the upper section. The Safety Boat towed him in and he got a replacement mast - and replacement sail - in time to join the third race.

Meanwhile, Chris Strugar-Fritsch sails in to the finish with spray flying across his boat.

Never one to like things dull, Chris sailed off to the side awaiting the start of the next race - but his boat had its own ideas about how to wait.

The Laser sailors welcomed a guest, Coleman Baar, a high school student at Culver Academy who is home in East Lansing for the summer.

Susanna Tellschow sails the course - wondering "Where is the rest of my fleet, this is fun."

George is back on the course - ready for race three.

The boats are getting ready for the start of race three. Doug Carlson flies in on a plane.

Mike Moody leads Coleman Baar down the line, both building speed just before the start signal.

The boats are headed upwind after the start of race four. Doug has a lead, but is pinned by Mike.

Scott Watkins is hot on their tail. "My goal," said Scott, "was to sail safe and wait for one of the boats ahead to capsize or breakdown."

Scott keeps the right side up. Here is is on the final downwind.

George has finished the race, but the boat is slow. There is water in the hull and he puts "Lattitude Adjustment" over on its side to check out the bottom. Oh my!!! A small hole. And, on top of all that, the centerboard has a problem too. Time to call it a day.

And the fog rolls in with rain and the temperature drops more. Let's get this race over with," says the Race Committee and spectators aboard the RC Boat. "On to Spags where it's (hopefully) warm and dry."

Just for the record, they sailed off into the fog - but did return to complete the race. We did get to spags - and the group was overwhelmingly correct with the answer to this weeks Race Rules quiz.