Selected News Articles for 2006 |
Give Associate Membership as a Gift
December 5, 2006. Here is a great Holiday gift idea - an Associate Membership in the Lansing Sailing Club.
Not only does this include use of the Club Sailboats, but new members without sailing experience can participate in our learn to sail classes. In addition, Associate Members are entitled to participate in other Club events and activities such as our fantastic holiday picnics and on-the-water fun regattas or our moonlight sails.
For more information, contact Jonathan Ahlbrand, our Membership Chairperson, by email at membership@lansingsailing.org. |
Dolan Named Commodore, 2007 Budget Set
Pat Dolan was named Commodore at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Lansing Sailing Club held November 10th in conjunction with the Awards Banquet. Also elected to the Board were Gil Chesbro (Vice-Commodore), Jim Fletcher (Rear-Commodore), Merrick Hurlbutt (Secretary), Dave MacKenzie (Treasurer), Wayne Loescher (Facilities Director), Doug Carlson (Club Boat Director), and Jonathon Ahlbrand (Member at Large). Susanna Tellschow has one more year to serve as Member at Large and Mike Moody becomes Post Commodore.
Members also voted to approve the 2007 budget which included a modest increase in dues and fees to keep pace with the cost of living. Regular Dues will increse by $20 to $450. Other dues and fees change in relationship to Regular Dues according to an index. Aside from normal and expected expenses, the budget emphasizes dock replacement and beach restoration.
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Moody Finds Great Winds For Practice
One of the contestants on Registration Day |
Editor's Note: Mike Moody is in New Zealand at the Professionals NZ BloKart Open. This is his report at the end of the day on Tuesday, October 31st.
We've had two days of excellent winds for practice on Sunday and Monday. 20-23 mph from the west. This is fast track as evidenced by the stack of tires, worn through from about 90 blokarts, outside the maintenence pole barn.
Everyone is doing last minute tuning and the less experienced people are getting information from the veterans. The first day of racing was today under much more tame conditions. Everyone wants to go fast this year as the production class has all but disappeared. With few exceptions, each kart now has the go fast stuff like PODs and carbon fiber mast sections.
As the sport learns to become a true one design class, growing pains are inevitable. So in order to try and give some guidence to the sport, I have been asked to serve on an international committee with the mission to establish functional and meaningful right-of-way rules equipment rules, protest procedure, guidlines for race committee, and the whole package that comes from an international governing body. Eventually we hope these committee seats will be elected ones by the various countries elected representatives.
I'm nNot doing as well this year as last in the races, but am enjoying getting back together with old friends and making new ones.
Read more about the event at www.bai.co.nz. |
Moody Headed for New Zealand
September 25, 2006. A week of racing and camaraderie will mark the October 30 thru Nov 4 Professionals Blokart Open in New Zealand.
Contingents from the US, Japan, Australia and the Middle East are already signed up to participate in this event.
"This is a great event," said Moody, who attended last year and won his division. "Blokarters who want to go will have a great time. The people are very friendly and they know how to throw a good party as well as how to race these great karts.
Click on the picture for more information. Those interested can also contact Mike Moody. Go to the "Contact Us" page and click on "Blokarts" to send Mike a message. |
Tight Racing Marks Sunday Lightning Action
September 17, 2006. Some of the tightest finishes sailors can remember at LSC marked a day on the waters of Lake Lansing that saw good wind conditions - 10-15 from the South with the usual oscillations.
Pat Dolan, Bob Miller and Gil Chesbro just barely held off Mike Moody, Tim Potter and Scott Watkins in the first race.
In race two however, Moody and crew went sailing by Wind Dancer when the Dolan-Miller-Chesbro team couldn't get their spinnaker filled after a gybe to the finish - and then Dolan misjudged where the line was and ended up going past and having to tack back to finish.
Blaine Severin, Julie Pierce/Geoff Severin and Tom Deits led for the first two legs of race three to show their competitive nature. They scored third place finishes in each race.
John LeFevre, Susanna Tellschow and Wayne Loescher sailed together for the first time and found the high winds a challenge. However, the posted fourth place finishes and did get their chute going.
Neil Harrison was short handed with only Alanna Harvey to assist and the wind conditions got the best of them - understandable when three person crews had all they could do to keep the boats on their feet.
See the September 18, 2006 e-Sheet for more pictures and the rest of the story.
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Pratts and Loeschers Win Labor Day Fun Regatta
September 4, 2006. The winning team in the Annual Labor Day Fun Regatta was the team of Bill Pratt, Sally Pratt, Judy Loescher and Wayne Loescher (upper right picture).
But, thanks to the Pratts, Loeschers and Fletchers, everyone attending the Picnic was a winner.
The Loeschers and Pratts organized the picnic, bought and cooked the brats, set up the tables, etc. Thank you, thanks you, thank you. Great job.
Jim and Maribeth Fletcher again brought us a fun on-water event. Balloons containing the names of boat parts on small slips of paper inside the balloon were set free on Lake Lansing for sailors to pick up. The goal was to "build" a boat by getting all the right parts - then sailing back to the dock and claiming their prize at the Clubhouse.
The team of Marge Clark, Larry Koster and Sally Pratt (lower right picture) took home the runner up prizes.
See the September 5, 2006 e-Sheet for more pictures and the rest of the story.
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Wagner Pictures Add to Racing at LSC in 2006
August 28, 2006. Stephen Wagner began coming to the Lansing Sailing Club a year or so ago and, although his initial foray into sailing was a little tentative, his picture taking certainly wasn't. Stephen has applied his significant talents in photography to capturing action on the waters of Lake Lansing - and we have all benefited immensely.
Stephen put pictures from recent Wednesday evening racing action on web pages. Links can be found on the "Pictures" page. In addition, he made a web page of pictures taken by Jamie Rasmussen yesterday (August 27, 2006) using his camera. They can be found by clicking on the picture or going to:
www.cse.msu.edu/~wagners5/sailing/aug27.html
Oh yes, he has become quite a competent crew too - and has been increasingly seen aboard "Oh m" and other LSC Lightnings. |
Lightning Sailors Find Fleet Very Close
August 20, 2006. LSC's Lightning Fleet has become very competitive this year. Suddenly, there are at least seven crews challenging for first place finishes. During August, races have been won by Blaine Severin (1), Jim Fletcher (1), Merrick Hurlbutt (2), Pat Dolan (2) and Mike Moody (3). Larry Koster and Jonathan Ahlbrand have been close to wins in August as well.
This should make the final weeks of the season even more exciting. In addition to the season championship and "Half-Season" Championship, this year features the "Challengers" Division Championship which excludes winning skippers of the past five years. Merrick Hurlbutt currently leads the Challengers, but the contest is very close. See the August 21st issue of e-Sheet for an update on this new Championship.
Today's close racing was typlified by the finish in race one where "Wind Dancer" came from behind to best "Moody's Booty" in a tactical and boat handling gem that could have gone either way.
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Lasers and Sunfish in Stretch Drive
August 10, 2006. The Sunfish and Laser Racing season is fast drawing to a close.
Four more evenings of racing remain with the season finale on September 6.
There are some close contests in both fleets with opportunities for almost everyone to move up with some good results in the final month. As an example of how close it can be, check out the picture to the right, taken by Stephen Wagner, showing six Lasers tightly bunched on the final leg in Wednesday, August 9 racing.
All Sunfish and Laser sailors are encouraged to participate in the stretch run. The more boats participating, the greater the number of points that can be earned - making the last few weeks of racing even more important.
In addition, the sailing has been great. Come out an sail. |
Girl Scouts Complete Work on Badges at LSC
July 20, 2006. Six Girl Scouts went sailing tonight on Lightnings to complete work on their badges.
Susanna Tellschow and Bob Miller took a three of the girls on "Wind Dancer" while Pat Dolan and Stephen Wagner took the other three on "Moody's Booty".
This was the last of three sessions in which the girls worked on two merit badges: Small Craft and Water Fun.
In the first session, the girls sailed by themselves in Sunfish - learning to steer and trim their sails by playing a game of "Follow the leader". Mike Moody and Pat Dolan led the parade in the LSC Safety Boat. The light air was perfect for the girls to get on boats and have a first hand experience on their own.
A second session found almost no wind for sailing, so it was a good time for water fun. The girls designed and played their own water games. They also spent time in the water getting comfortable with letting a life preserver do its job - then exchanging pfds with a partner so they could have the experience of putting a life preserver on while in the water.
Lightning sailing was on tap for their third session. An unexpected opportunity presented itself when a catamaran from the MSU Sailing Club capsized and the girls got a chance to see how other boats come to the aid of someone who may be having trouble.
Mr. Cushion fell overboard several times and the girls practiced basics of crew overboard recovery including the importance of one or more crew members keeping their eye on the person who fell overboard to make it easier for the boat to turn around and come back for the person in the water.
A little fun was in the works too as the girls dragged behind the sailboat before coming back to the dock and putting the boats away.
Valarie von Frank is the troop leader and made arrangements through LSC Vice-Commodore Pat Dolan for the girls to have this sailing opportunity. |
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July 11, 2006. The LSC Junior Sailors sailed across Lake Lansing to the County Park today. There they made a stop at the Cone Zone and sailed back.
Coach Moody promised to "sail on his head" if Cody Eggenberger could use the Moody "Laser Propulsion" technique to get his boat to shore thrugh the no wind zone.
Was Cody successful? Did Coach Moody sail on his head? Click on the picture to see the rest of the story and more pictures.
Next Tuesday, the Junior Sailors begin doing some low key racing. This is where they really begin to develop their sailing skills. Junior Sailing continues through the middle of August. |
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July 8, 2006. Chad Coberly of Gull Lake won the 2006 Lake Lansing Laser Regatta in convincing fashion with four wins in six races.
Doug Carlson of the Lansing Sailing Club was second and Eric Heller of Pontiac third.
Top Novice was Jim Fletcher. Cole Baar was the top Collegian and Jay Mitchell the top Junior sailor.
Click Here for detailed results and more pictures.
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Big Crowd for Wednesday Racing - Weather that sailors love - great combo
July 5, 2006. Lots of sailors showed up to race on a great day for it.
Doug Carlson won three of the four Laser races to lead that fleet.
John Fishbeck sailed to three wins in four Sunfish races to show the way there.
More details are available in the July 6, 2006 e-Sheet.
A picture story is also available. Click on the picture or go to the Pictures page to access "Wednesday Racing - July 5, 2006."
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Fireworks Cap Great Fourth at LSC
July 4, 2006. Fireworks capped a beautiful and fun day at the Lansing Sailling Club this Independence Day 2006.
Photographers captured some highlights and a picture story is available by clicking on the fireworks picture.
The day started with volleyball. The teams split, but hot dogs and brats were ready before a rubber game could be played. Our chefs set an example for how it should be done - with onions and green pepper cooked on the grill to go with the brats. There was plenty of food - and it was all good.
As the picnic wound down, Jim Fletcher took Maribeth's crutches and organized a joust on the water with sail boards as steeds. It was a close match and all participants got wet. Larry Koster found a water cannon to spray those who thought they could escape by being away from the water.
Then, it was Poker - LSC Style. Jim Fletcher sent all the teams on the water with five cards. They could sail to the Safety Boat out on the water and trade as many cards as they wanted - then sail to the dock for more trading. Back and forth the boats went - seeking the best possible poker hand.
Prizes were awarded to all the kids - and the poker teams were awarded wine, crackers and cheese to enjoy along with some cards.
As the day wound down, a Boat Parade came by - and then ended with lots of fireworks. The Clubhouse at LSC had among the best seats on the lake for the finale.
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Jamie Rasmussen takes pole down
on Moody's Booty
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Sunday, July 2, 2006. Sunday Lightning Fleet racing is very competitive in 2006 - and this Sunday was no different.
Seven different Lightning skippers have won races so far this season and the racing is tighter than it has been in a long time.
Jim Fletcher in starting sequence
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Clearly the run for the gold among those seeking the Challenger's trophy will be intense.
On this day, "Wind Dancer" won all three races, but it was not easy. "Moody's Booty" led at the first mark in race one, but the Dancer got inside position to claim the lead back at the leeward mark. Were it not for losing the handle on his tiller, Mike Moody was pressing hard and could well have won. However, Booty accidently hit a windward boat and lost another place while doing her circle.
"Wind Dancer" gets a good start in Race 3
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Merrick Hurlbutt and crew are getting stronger and stronger. Their downwind performance in particular has been exceptional.
In the second race, Merrick Hurlbutt bested Larry Koster by a very slim margin as both came to the line bow to bow. Had Shibumi been able to keep her spinnaker full at the very end, the results might have been different.
More detail and pictures are available in the July 3, 2006 e-Sheet. Detailed results and standings will be available soon on the Racing page of the web site by clicking on the Lightning logo.
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A clever tool from Club Boat Director Doug Carlson easily raises the Sunfish Boom for cruising and instruction. Click on the picture for details.
A quantity of these devices are found in the sail shed at LSC along with an instruction sheet. Try it out - just remember to put it back when you are done using it so others can take advantage of this tool as well. |
Pat Dolan adjusts traveler on "Wind Dancer" |
June 25, 2006. The Michigan Lightning District Championship for 2006 was held June 24 and 25 at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, and the Lansing Sailing Club had several members participating.
Doug Carlson sailed with Sean Fidler in Sean's new boat - it hadn't seen water until launched at Macatawa Bay. Larry and Louise Koster visited on Saturday and took a picture (see June 26 e-Sheet) for us to share of the boats returning from Lake Michigan up the channel under spinnaker.
The "Wind Dancer" team was the lone LSC Lightning participating - and they struggled. However, the hospitality of MBYC and great sailing made for a terrific weekend. Susanna Tellshow, Bob Miller and Pat Dolan sailed the "Dancer".
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"Tourists" ride on "Wind Dancer" |
June 3, 2006. Today was "Be a Tourist in Your Own Town" day - and more people showed up at the Lansing Sailing Club than we expected, to take advantage of sailboat rides between 1 and 4.
In fact, more than 50 were standing in line for rides when a thunderstorm sweptthrough the area and sailing was suspended for the day. Rain Checks were handed out and dates will be announced soon for free sails. Click Here or on the headline for a picture story.
There were a lot of smiles on the faces of participants - and on the faces of LSC skippers and shore crew, who thoroughly enjoyed getting people on the water. Jamie Rasmussen, Ann Siegle and Susanna Tellschow were in charge and did a great job of organizing and carrying out the event. LSC Skippers volunteering their time and boats were Pat Dolan, Jim Fletcher, Terry Kleiman, Mike Moody, Merrick Hurlbutt and Blaine Severin. Thanks also to Laura Harvey for being point person at the Club House as well as Doug Carlson and Elia Strangas who took charge of dock traffic to help move things along. |
Derrick Fries Wins Sunfish Regatta - Fishbeck Leads LSC Sailors
Fishbeck first at windward mark |
June 3, 2006. Derrick Fries won three of the four races sailed in the Sunfish Regatta today, and took second in the other race to score a 5 - and win the Lake Lansing Regatta.
Dan Norton put in a 2-1-3-3 day for a total of 9 points and second place.
In third was Matt Haywood with 17 points that included finishes of 3-5-4-5.
LSC's John Fishbeck was fourth with finishes of 6-7-2-4 and 19 points.
For complete regatta results, Click Here. |
Sunfish - Lasers Have Plenty of Wind
Sunfish start Race 2 |
May 31, 2006. Sunfish and Laser racing today was marked by a building wind that clocked almost 980 degrees during the course of the evening.
In the final two races, there was enough wind that at least five Laser sailors found themselves in the water recovering from a capsize - some more than once.
John Fishbeck led the Sunfish with four wins. On the Laser side, Doug Carlson won two as did Mike Moody. Results soon through a link on the Racing page. Click Here or on the photo for a picture story. |
Memorial Day Great Fun at LSC
Come 'n Get It |
May 29, 2006. More than 30 people came to LSC today for the annual picnic and fun regatta. While waiting for the charcoal to get ready, Jim Fletcher got everyone involved in a bocce ball game - won by the Blue team 10-2.
The food was great, and the friendliness of everyone kept the heat at bay. Then sailors went on the water to chase down balloons with numbers in them. Highest total wins. Surprise, there were some negative numbers too.
Winners got wine, crackers and cheese - but much of that didn't make its way home. See the picture story by clicking on the picture to find out how the wine and cheese was put to good use. |
Rasmussen, Moody and Carlson Win
Jamie Rasmussen winning final race |
May 24, 2006. Sailors took advantage of a great wind all evening as well as very pleasant temperatures in the first Wednesday of Sunfish and Laser racing for 2006.
Jamie Rasmussen won all three Sunfish contests.
Mike Moody and Doug Carlson each won two of the four Laser races.
For more info and pictures, see the May 25, 2006 issue of e-Sheet.
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Klaban Wins 2006 Lightning Regatta
"Overdrive" in the lead |
May 20, 2006. Tom Klaban and his two sons, Eric and Brian, won the Lake Lansing Lightning Fleet 387's 41st Annual Tune Up Regatta. The Klaban's sailed "Overdrive" to six wins in as many races to claim the title.
Finishing second was Chris Jacobson of Bay City. Blaine Severin took third and was the top Lake Lansing sailor.
Larry Koster finished fourth and won the award for being the highest finishing MSU Alumni.
The winds kept building all day and claimed several capsizes in the final race. Although it was a little on the cool side for this time in May, the wind made for a great day of sailing.
For some great pictures taken by Stephen Wagner, go to www.cse.msu.edu/~wagners5/LSCtuneup/.
Detailed results and a report by Fleet Captain Blaine Severin are availble by clicking here. There is also additional coverage in the May 22, 2006 e-Sheet. |
Challenger Battle Heats Up
LeFevre leads the pack to windward
Challenger Division
includes racing thru May 7 |
| Skipper |
Points |
| Merrick Hurlbutt |
309 |
| Larry Koster |
248 |
| John LeFevre |
195 |
| Jim Fletcher |
183 |
| Jonathon Ahlbrand |
177 |
| Neil Harrison |
138 |
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May 7, 20065. Members of the Challenger Division stepped it up a notch in today's racing action. Jim Fletcher posted a first place finish. With seven boats, this will give him 130 points in addition to his other finishes. Merrick Hurlbutt had a second, third and fourth for some good points. More coverage is available in the May 1, 2006 issue of e-Sheet.
Merrick Hurlbutt continues in first place among those Lightning skippers competiting for the Challengers Division championship.
The Challengers Division Championship excludes skippers who finished in the top 30 percent of the fleet in one or more of the last five seasons.
Pat Dolan, Mike Moody, George Siegle and Blaine Severin are not eligible for the Challenger Division Championship.
Skippers are looking forward to the Lake Lansing Lightning Fleet "Tune Up" Regatta coming up May 20th.
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Be a Tourist at LSC June 3 - Volunteers Wanted
The Lansing Sailing Club will be offering free 'Lightning rides" from 1-4 pm for the "Be A Tourist in Your Own Town" event in Lansing on June 3. The event, hosted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, is to expose local residents to all of the things that are going on in their home towns.
Residents can pick up 'passports' at Lansing Mall, Meridian Mall, AAA locations and at the CVB in Old Town throughout May. The passports outline all of the fun things to do in Lansing.
This year, the Lansing Sailing Club is a 'destination' in the passport for area residents.
The LSC will make available a few Lightnings and skippers to take 'tourists' out for a sail on the lake.
Volunteers are needed to staff the check-in table, hand out life jackets and assist at the dock.
Volunteers can answer questions about the club, about youth sailing and education programs at LSC (classes begin the following tuesday) and hand out information to prospective tourists. The event is the same day as the Sunfish regatta, while the Sunfish are on the water racing, so if you're volunteering for the day, and you're on land support, stick around for the Be a Tourist event.
For more info, please contact Ann Siegle at 517-337-0489. |
Lightning Racing Kicks Off for 2006
Bananas ready to launch |
Apr 23, 20065. The 2006 Lightning racing season got under way today as sailors battled cold and rain as well as each other.
The "Wind Dancer" team took all three races, Jonathan Ahlbrand sailed his first Lightning race, and the "Challenger Division" was initiated.
For more details, see the April 24, 2006 e-Sheet.
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