Koster Starts His Season with a Win

"Shibumi"

"Wind Dancer"

Wind gusts in the 18 mph range and 30 degree wind shifts made spinnaker handling a little dicey for the six Lightnings racing yesterday (Sunday, April 30). Several boats rounded up and the "Shibumi" crew just barely avoided a capsize with spinniker full. But the wind made for some good racing.

Senior LSC Lightning Skipper Larry Koster hit the Race 1 starting line at the gun going full speed - and jumped into a first place lead he never relinquished. "A great start with speed, good crew work in playing the wind shifts, then getting good spinnaker work on the downwind legs was the key for us," said the savvy veteran. "We again were competitive in the 3rd race," continued Larry. "We worked up to 2nd, then didn't fly the chute on the last downwind leg because the wind was up. But the others were overtaking us by flying their chutes so we put ours up and were able to finish 3rd. Wow, what a day!"

Bob Miller, Gil Chesbro and Pat Dolan sailed "Wind Dancer" to first place finishes in the last two races of the day to go with a second in the first race.

Merrick Hurlbutt struggled a little in the first race of the day, but then put it together to finish second in the other two races. Scott Watkins and George Siege sailed with Merrick. John LeFevre and Blaine Severin each put a third place finish on the board.

Maribeth Flether, Ed Clarke, Dennis Dudley and Jim Fletcher served on race committee. cold, overcast, rainy day greeted Lightning sailors as they began their 2006 racing season.

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