Jamie Rasmussen Sails her First Race

Jamie Ready to Race

This sailing season we will be closely following a new Sunfish sailor: Jamie Rasmussen. Jamie bought one of Alanna Harvey's boats and got into it Wednesday evening to sail her first race.

Jamie had done a little Sunfish sailing growing up, and sails with her dad on a Hunter 37 in the Caribbean. She has also been crewing no Lightnings for the last year. But, as a single-handed sailor, Jamie is really just getting started.

What did she learn in her first outing? "The biggest thing I learned," said Jamie, "is how easy to put the boat into 'irons' - but I also learned how to get out of irons by backing the sail and sailing backwards to swing the boat until the sail fills with wind."

"Racing demands that you know how to sail close-hauled," continued Jamie, "and this is one of the things that is different from doing some relaxed day sailing where reaching out and back is a typical pattern."

After racing, the other sailors were very complementary of Jamie's effort. "She was in some tight situations with other boats and she handled herself very well," said Pat Dolan who observed from the Committee Boat. "She also got the Race Rules Quiz right at Spags after racing," added quizmaster Doug Carlson.

Lightning Regatta Photos from Stephen Wagner

Stephen Wagner took a bunch of pictures at the Lightning Regatta last Saturday and has put them on a web site where everyone can enjoy them. An added bonus is that he has organized them by boat number and in other ways to make finding pictures of interest a little easier.

Look the Stephen's pictures at www.cse.msu.edu/~wagners5/LSCtuneup/.

Spend Memorial Day Picnicing at LSC

Some action from the 2005 Memorial Day Picnic

If you come to LSC at noon Memorial Day - you are guaranteed a good time. Jim Fletcher and Pat Dolan are organizing some fun events - and you know the food is going to be good because everyone is bringing a dish to share.

LSC will provide food for grilling, buns, soft drinks, paper and plastic. Bring a friend, your dish to pass, and come prepared to join in the activities.

Last year's Memorial Day event was one to remember - and this year's promises to be better yet. Don't miss it.

Sunfish Regatta Just Around the Corner

Sunfish get on port tack early in a 2005 race

Sunfish sailors will gather on Lake Lansing for their Annual Regatta on June 3rd.

Registration begins at 9:30 am. There will be a meeting of skippers at 10:30 am followed by racing. Six races are scheduled. No race will begin after 4 pm.

A sandwich lunch is included in the $20 regatta fee.

Dave Vietti is available to answer any questions. Call him at 517-432-0240.