Enough Wind - Beautiful Sailing By Days End

Harrison Comes to Finish Line

Prospects for racing looked "iffy" around noon for lack of wind as the sailors and crew began arriving at the Club. When it looked as if the very light and variable conditions would continue, several skippers and crew members went on to pursue other activities. However, four boats did race and the wind became more reliable as the day went on.

"Wind Dancer" team members Stacy Kotecki and Pat Dolan picked up Terry Kleiman as a third and won the first two races. They were runner up to Baron in the day's finale. Neil Harrison sailed with Alanna Harvey and Bob Miller and went 3-2-4 on the day. Ron Marshall, Jane Marshall and Bob Hill sailed "Oh m" to a 2-3-3 day.

Detailed results and standings are available through links on the Racing page of the LSC web site at www.lansingsailing.org.

Don Baron Posts His First Lightning Win

Gary Marx and Don Baron

Don Baron and crew Gary Marx found wind on leg two of race three when no one else did, and captured a lead they wouldn't give up. This was Don's first win in Lightning Fleet Racing and he was all smiles afterward. Don bought a Lightning and joined the Lansing Sailing Club in 2000, without having previous sailing experience. He then set out to learn sailing and has pretty much taught himself. Don usually sails with son David, and today added Gary Marx as a third. When David wasn't able to stay on after the break between races two and three, Don and Gary went out and captured Don's first win in the final race of the day.

Laser District Championship

The beautiful and serene West Bay in Traverse City was the site of this years District 19 Laser Championships this past weekend. Saturday morning greeted thirty-one Laser racers with a light breeze from the East that was soon to shift dramatically to the North during the first race. That seemed to set the tone for both days of the regatta and was reflected in the scores as the light air specialists came out in force to quickly take control of the races.

Sean Fidler of Pontiac made it tough on the fleet by scoring two bullets in the first two races. The eventual winner Chad Coberly, took the next race then went on to finish the regatta on Sunday with a very consistent 3,3,3 to take home first place hardware. Craig Pearson of Ann Arbor finished even more consistent with a solid 2,2,2 to take home third place honors.

The racing was very competitive as Fidler was the only one who was able to post more then one first place finish. With no throwouts, every point was really important and every race was hotly contested right to the end. The race committee did a bang up job by managing to get in seven total races for the weekend in the light and shifty air.

LSC racer, Doug Carlson sailed an excellent regatta to finish in fourth overall and take home the 1st Master trophy. Jim Meyer of Portage Lake near Pinckney was fifth and LSC racer Mike Moody managed a sixth place finish despite having to do circles in the second race and taking a 20% penalty in the fourth race.

Top Six Finishers

Siegle Key in Lance Armstrong Foundation Fundraiser Success

George Siegle

LSC's George Siegle has made a big impact on fund raising for the Lance Armstrong Foundation this year. With lots of support from wife Ann (our Commodore from 2001-2003), George was responsible for raising about $18,000 through the "Tour de Road America", an official part of the Grand Prix of Road America on August 7 in Elkhart Lake, WI. Cyclists joined the Road America circuit for one hour with Champ Car and Trans Am series drivers in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

George was one of the top fund raisers in the country. Said Ann, "It's really an amazing thing, in four days (and a few weeks beforehand) we raised that much money. It's pretty rarified air - only 9 in the country have raised that much thru their volunteer activities, and they're flying us to Austin in October for five days to meet Lance and ride in the Ride for the Roses, their charity ride." "And", continued Ann, "we were responsible for a racing team
donating a five hundred grand sponsorship with logos plastered all over
their car." Great job George.

Picnic at LSC on Labor Day

Don't forget to put the Lansing Sailing Club Picnic and Fun Regatta on your calendar for September 6th. The Picnic will begin at noon. Bring a dish to pass. LSC will provide hot dogs, brats,burgers, buns, fixins, soft drinks, paper and plastic.

A fun on-the-water activity follows the picnic.

• August 22 (Sunday): Sandy Bryson, Joanne Princinsky, Volunteer Needed.
• August 29 (Sunday): Merrick Hurlbutt, Scott Watkins, Walt Benenson.

• August 17, Practice Night
• August 18, Wednesday Racing
• August 22, Lightning Fleet Racing
• August 24, Practice Night
• August 25, Wednesday Racing
• August 27, LLPOA TGIF on the Lake
• August 29, Lightning Fleet Racing
• August 31, Practice Night
• September 1, Wednesday Racing
• September 5, Lightning Fleet Racing
• September 6, Labor Day Picnic & Regatta

• Olympics. Bravo will be carrying daily highlights of sailing during the Olympics from 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM starting August 14.
• Swedish Match Tour. Previous events shown continuously on the web at narrowstep.tv.
• Wednesdays: Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Series. On the web at www.t2p.tv each evening after racing.