Docks Are In

April 14, 2007. Docks are now in at the Lansing Sailing Club, the grounds spiffed up, the clubhouse cleaned - and we are ready to sail.

"Everyone did such a great job again this year," said Commodore Pat Dolan, "and we are particularly indebted to Jim Fletcher for doing such a good job of organizing and keeping us on task."

A few members got their winter covers off and masts up, ready to sail. The racing season begins Sunday, April 22nd, with Lightning fleet racing. As in past seasons, there will be a short Skippers Meeting at 12:30 with the first of three scheduled races planned to begin at 1:00 pm.

We are set for a fantastic sailing season with moonlight sails, holiday picnics, fun regattas, fleet racing, junior sailing and "learn to sail" nights. Check the calendar for details and watch for announcements in e-Sheet.

Click on the picture for more Docks In pictures.

Jacobson Wins Lightning Regatta

May 19, 2007. Chris Jacobson of Bay City conquered Lake Lansing with his Lightning, besting eight opponents with a solid day of sailing. Chris, supported by crew members Gus Dey and Tom Herrick, got off to a fast start, posting first place finishes in three of the first four races. The threesome added two seconds and a third (tossing out the third) for a total of 7 points and a four point win of the second place boat.

The first race got underway in a pleasant 8 mph breeze, but mother nature quickly turned on the accelerator and the wind kicked up for the next races. One of the LSC Members clocked wind in the afternoon session in the 8 to 16 range with gusts around 20 and 30 degree shifts coming every three minutes or so. This proved challenging for the sailors - having to constantly change gears and be on the lookout for the gust that could put the boat in jeopardy.

Second place was won by George Nickels of the Fenton Sail Club who sailed with his son Brian and grandson Tim. They nipped LSC's Larry Koster at the end of the last race to score a win - and propel themselves into second for the Regatta. George had two firsts and three thirds - tossing out a fourth.

For the Lansing Sailing Club, the "Wind Dancer" team of Gil Chesbro in the front, Terry Kleiman in the middle and Pat Dolan driving also ended up with 11 points to tie the Nickels crew for second. However, their one first, two seconds and two thirds (tossing out a fourth), lost the tie breaker and were scored in third place. Dolan takes home the Lightning Transom award that symbolizes the highest LSC finish. He also was the leading MSU alumni sailor.

John Heagy and crew made the trip from North Cape. With Nick Gilmore and Bruce Goldsmith on board, John wrapped up fourth with 21 points. Also taking home hardware was Larry Koster who finished fifth with crew Gary Marx and Michael-Salomon Jost. After a slow start in the morning, Larry and crew came on with two fourths and a second in the afternoon. The second was only a few inches as they were nipped by Nickels' at the finish.

Nine boats participated in all. In addition to those mentioned above, Jim Fletcher and his "Splash" crew of Ian Clemens and Michael Buiocchi included a fourth among their finishes. Susanna Tellschow, sailing "Moody's Booty" with Mike Moody and John Kelstoe as crew included two fifths and a sixth in their results. Merrick Hurlbutt and his "Bo Jangles" crew of Scott Watkins and Adrianne Tuttle turned in three sixth place finishes. "Sail Fevre" with John LeFevre, Leif Alton and Bob Bell posted a fifth and sixth in some solid sailing. There were only two points separating the sixth and ninth pace boats in very close racing.

LSC's Sid Mook Captained the Race Committee and was ably assisted by Walter DeGruyter and Julie Pierce. Blaine Severin, Lake Lansing Lightning Fleet Captain, was Regatta Chair and did an outstanding job of organizing the regatta. Blaine also did Race Committee Duty on the Safety Boat.

Click here for complete results. Click here for pictures taken by Stephen Wagner.

Click on the image for pictures and video taken by Jonathan Ahlbrand.

Wind Dancer Likes Windy Sunday

May 27, 2007. The "Wind Dancer" team of Chris Miller, Gil Chesbro and Pat Dolan turned on the speed and displayed almost flawless boat handling to win the first and third races Sunday. In the middle race, they just missed winning by less than a boat length, up on a plane for the final several hundred yards to the finish. However, Mike Moody and crew sailed confidently for the win. Jonathan Ahlbrand, sailing with Bob Bell and Julie Pierce, posted two seconds and a third for the day.

The last race was marked by wind in the upper teens and gusts occasionally nearing 25. These conditions took their toll on the "Moody's Booty" crew of Mike Moody, Jason Grimes and Bryan Hauser, as they flipped with spinnaker flying. Wind and wave action having pushed the masthead into the lakebed, it took both the Safety Boat and Committee Boat assisting the "Booty" crew to get the boat upright and ready to sail again.

The May 28 e-Sheet has a complete story and more pictures. Results and standings will be available soon by clicking the Lightning logo on the Racing Page.

"Best Thing in the World"

June 3, 2007. By Susanna Tellschow. "That was the best thing in the world - I LOVED IT!" was the way one little girl described her free sail on "Be a Tourist in your own Town" day at the Lansing Sailing Club.

LSC volunteers did a great job again this year - and a year of experience made the day go even more smoothly. The crowd flow was like a conveyor belt. Skippers were always busy and there was hardly a wait in line to sail.

"Tourists" made a number of inquiries, including an application for our new Canoe/Kayak program. There was also interest in the Adult Learn to Sail Program and our Jjunior Sailing Program.

The best part was the comments from people, especially kids like the little girl quoted above.

Just like last year, the storm came in towards the end, with both thunder and hail stones. Was it a great time? Hail yes.

Jonathan Ahlbrand led the LSC "Be a Tourist" event effort and is indebted to the many Lansing Sailing Club members who turned out to help make it such a success.

More pictures and details can be found in the June 5, 2007 e-Sheet.

Norton Wins Sunfish Regatta

June 2, 2007. By John Fishbeck. Lake Lansing provided its usual amusing and frustrating fluky, light breezes for this year's Lake Lansing Sunfish Regatta. While, as always, superior sailing skill and knowledge bore the proper fruits of victory, the vagaries of the winds added the element of chance, surprise and dismay into the mix.

Races 1 and 2 took place with light and variable wind, with many holes. Sunfish sailor par excellence Derrick Fries, as is customary, figured things out nicely and sailed fast, winning both races handily. Dan Norton did a fine job as well, finishing second in both races. Tom Katterheinrich pulled out a 3rd in the first race, and Gail Turluck sailed to a third place in the second race. This finish, coupled with Gail's 4th place in race 1, left Gail in good position as well. LSC sailor Jim Fletcher managed two good mid-fleet finishes, a fifth and a fourth. By the time of the start the second race the wind was dying away, and so only a single time around the triangle was sailed, following which folks sailed back to the club for the lunch break.

After lunch the masochistic fleet headed back out on to the course for still more fun(?). There was some additional breeze this time around the modified Olympic course, but the wind gods were obviously enjoying their amusing game of dice. Dan Norton pulled this race out, with Derrick Fries following behind to take second. LSC sailor John Fishbeck sailed his one good race of the day, taking third. Clearly the regatta was headed to a showdown between Derrick and Dan.

As the fourth race got underway the sky off to the southwest started to appear ominously dark. The winds for this race were all over the map, challenging even the perpetually wind-wise Derrick Fries. On the second beat up to the windward mark fate played its merciless hand. Those foolish enough to pick the left side of the course (John Fishbeck and Dave Travis) were cruelly slapped, bobbing around miserably while boats off to the right side of the beat sailed merrily up towards the mark in breeze. LSC's Jim Fletcher and visitor Tom Katterheinrich presciently sailed out to the far right of the course, where they were the first to catch the breeze as it filled in from the southwest. Jim superbly sailed to a win, followed closely by Tom. Dan Norton still managed to sail to a third place, while poor Derrick, stuck mid-fleet with the fickle breeze, managed only to pull out a fifth.

As the fleet finished the fourth race the sky became a forboding dark gray and black presence. Race committee chairman Sid Mook heard thunder, and prudently declared that enough was enough. The skippers no sooner arrived on shore and climbed out of their boats when the sky opened up with a torrential downpour, complete with a nasty taste of pea stone-sized hail. All were pleased to be under the shelter of the clubhouse and not still out on the water!

Dan's consistent 2-2-1-3 finishes and Derrick's misfortune in the fourth race gave Dan the regatta victory over Derrick by a mere point, 8 points to Derrick's 9. LSC's Jim Fletcher's glorious sail to first in the fourth race catapulted him into third place overall with 15 points. Gail Turluck also finished with 15, but the scoring tie breaking resolution gave Jim the edge, leaving Gail with a respectably contested fourth place overall.

Click Here for complete results.

Sail Fevre at Higgins District Champion-
ship

June 25, 2007. By Larry Koster. It was a beautiful weekend for sailing on the pristine waters of Higgins Lake for the Michigan District Championships, June 23 & 24. Many of the sailors pitched tents on the grounds of the Higgins Lake Boat Club. Everything was great except that the wind gods did not cooperate.

It was sunny both days, the temperature was in the mid-80s and the water of Higgins Lake was very refreshing. Wind conditions were bizarre for the 18 boats and the 2 races for Saturday reflected that situation. Jim Allen, perhaps the top Lightning sailor in Michigan, scored a 1st in race 1, then a 16th in race 2. Tom Klaban had a 2nd and 13th. Chris Jacobson began with a 14th and closed out the day with a 3rd. Tom Vickers had 13th and a 4th place finishes for Saturday.

John McCree displayed his light air sailing skills with a 4th in race 1 and a 1st in race 2. HLBC's Peter Morley had a 5th and a 2nd for the day. McCree was the winner of the 3-race regatta and it is not known, at this time, how he placed in Sunday's only race.

The SAIL FEVRE crew, skipper John LeFevre and Larry Koster represented the Lansing Sailing Club. Lindsay Vickers, of the MSU Sailing Club and crewing for her father Tom Vickers, introduced us to Steve Griffith and Meghan Walters. Crewing arrangements took place Friday via e-mail and telephone with the Vickers. Steve (Saturday) and Meghan (Sunday) were our third person. Both have had regatta experience with the MSU Sailing Club. It was fun to have them aboard.

John LeFevre's crew aboard SAIL FEVRE showed steady improvement: A 17th, followed by an 11th and, we didn't see the Sunday results, but may have finished with a 7th or an 8th . We were ahead of McCree for most of Sunday's only race. McCree's SLEEPER crew hoisted the kite at the so-called leeward mark and passed us on the way to the finish line. McCree ended up the winner of this championship. Complete results can be found at
www.lightningclass.org/Results/results07/MichiganDistricts.htm

Cone Zone Calls To Junior Sailors

July 17, 2007. It was the day of the "Cone Zone Adventure" for Junior Sailors. As an incentive to improve upwind sailing skills, LSC Junior Sailors sailed from the Club to Lake Lansing Park South - then made an inland trek to the Cone Zone for some ice cream.

They all made it easily - and developing upwind sailing skill is one of the hardest to learn.

There is still more to do before upwind sailing skills are well honed, but this group is certainly well on their way.

Crew In Charge

July 19, 2007. This evening was the time when crew members got their chance to drive the boats in LSC racing. Storms in the afternoon threatened racing for the day, but the cells went through leaving sunny, but cool conditions. Sailors hesitated for a while to go on the water becuase of high winds, but eventually launched when it looked like it might moderate. Alas, the moderation was only a sucker hole and the winds rebounded once the sailors got on the water, jumping to the 20 mph range.

These sailors were not to be detered however. They took down jibs and raced on mains alone.

Michael-Salomon Jost was at the helm of "Shibumi" with Larry Koster and John LeFevre crewing. Michael provided some interesting challenges on the water when he came into the windward mark on port with several starboard tackers on the layline close to the buoy. Everything seemed to work out ok, although John Kolstoe, driving "Unidentified Flying Pigasus", was forced to duck and missed them mark - forcing crew Blaine Severin and Julie Pierce to work hard helping to get the boat in position to go around the mark and keep the racing close. John drove "Pigasus" to a win in the first race of the evening.

Jim Fletcher had two "rookies" aboard. Stephen Wagner and Joel DeJong, members of the LSC Adult Learn to Sail Program were on "Splash" with Jim. They did an outstanding job against their more experienced competition - even leading the final race around all marks but the final one. In one situation, even though they were on starboard tack and had right-of-way, Jim hailed to the other boats that "a rookie is driving, come close to us at your own risk".

Scott Watkins was the driver of "Bo Jangles", with Adrianne Tuttle and Merrick Hurlbutt crewing. Scott had the boat going well and scored three second place finishes.

Winner of two races was Chris Miller, who sailed "Wind Dancer" with Susanna Tellschow and Pat Dolan crewing. Chris, Junior Sailor of the Year several years ago, showed her driving skills as she came from behind to win two of the races.

LSC Wins Orchard Lake Cup

July 28, 2007. The team from Lansing won the 2007 Orchard Lake Cup in sailing action today. Eleven sailors from LSC proved to be excellent ambassadors of the Club and sailed well in the three Lasers and three "Y" Boats assigned them. LSC's Susanna Tellschow led our team on the water with four first place finishes in five Laser races. She was first overall among Laser Sailors. Doug Crawford, LSC Junior Sailor was second overall in Lasers.

For more, including pictures, Click Here.

Wayne Loescher	John LeFevre	Faith Krogulecki	Pat Dolan
Olav Messerschmidt	Aaron Messerschmidt	LSC's Orchard Lake Cup 2007 Team	Stephen Wagner
Doug Crawford	Charlotte Foran	Susanna Tellschow	Jonathan Ahlbrand

Laser Regatta Huge Success

August 25, 2007. While radar showed the threat of heavy rain prior to noon time, the precipitation was only a mist and didn't really dampen the racing or sprits of competitors in the 2007 Lake Lansing Laser Regatta... However, Lake Lansing lived up to its reputation and dished up unpredictable shifty winds the entire day.

Craig Pearson, of the Detroit area, won the Regatta with 8 points, a ten point lead over the second place finisher. Pearson scored three first place finishes, a second and a third (an eighth place finish was his throwout).

Doug Carlson. Captain of the Lansing Sailing Club's Laser Fleet, was the second place finisher. Third went to Richard Graef.

There were six Junior Sailors partcipating. Ty Cruickshank finished fourth overall and got an award for leading the Juniors. EJ Williams also collected an award for finishing second among the Junior Sailors.

"The regatta did not start well for me," said LSC's Laser Fleet Captain Doug Carlson, "as just prior to the start of the first race another competitor capsized while positioning on the starting line and their mast landed across my deck with less than a minute to the starting gun. Needless to say this disrupted my pre race strategy an resulted in my worst race of the regatta."

The first race after the lunch break resulted in a good start for Carlson, and things seemed to be going much better. However, after leading much of the race and rounding the windward mark for the second time in what appeared to be a comfortable lead, Jim Meyer began to quickly close the gap on the final downwind leg. Meyer was right behind Carlson at the final leeward mark. "I thought I was in a good spot to guard my position to the finish line," said Carlson. "However, I missed the quick thinking and a fake tack by Meyer which enabled him to get get clear air beneath me. This was enough for Jim to get a favorable leeward position that was difficult for me to defend." The fake tack allowed Jim Meyer to get in great position approaching the finish. Great tactics and sailing then paid off for Meyer with a first place finish in race 4 and Carlson having to settle for a second.

Based on the event participation and the favorable afternoon weather, the LSC Laser regatta turned out to be a great success. But what really made this so successful was the many volunteers of the Lansing Sailing Club who supported this event in so many ways. "From grounds preparation, registration, race committee, manning the safety boat, purchasing the food, trophies and clean up," said Laser Fleet Captain Carlson, "I could not be more proud of everyone that assisted in making this such a successful regatta!"

West Marine's Lansing store, located on Saginaw near the intersection with US 127, generously donated door prizes.

More detail, including pictures, can be found in the August 27, 2007 e-Sheet. Click Here for complete results and more pictures. Even more pictures (lots of them) taken by Stephen Wagner can be found at
   www.flickr.com/photos/12233491@N02/sets/72157601701214363/

Docks Come Out

October 13, 2007. A typically cool October morning greeted Lansing Sailing Club members this Saturday morning - but a beautiful day that quickly warmed up and spurred a flurry of activity. Much was accomplished.

A special dolly, created by Schneider Fabrication along with our new main dock, made the job of getting the docks out very easy. The dolly is positioned under the dock section and a quick cranking raises the dock high enough to easily push the dock section like a big wheelbarrow.

The dolly works equally well with the old dock sections as with the new dock - and ends the backbreaking work of lifting dock sections. Barrells drop out as the dock is wheeled up the ramp, making extraction of the old floation easy - and much safer.

Leif Alton put a new roof on the Equipment Shed, moving that project closer to a conclusion. Moving like a dancer on the roof, he made quick work of getting the old roof off, repairing some structural members, putting felt down and laying shingles.

The grounds crew did a bang-up job cleaning up - and found time to pull an old gate anchor that was in the way of mowing and a hazzard to anyone walking near the fence.

The Club Boats crew got all the boats cleaned - and also did some repair work on "Oh m" replacing transom doors.

There are still some jobs that need attention, so any member that wasn't able to make it to docks-out will find a task to fit their time and talent. Contact Rear-Commodore Jim Fletcher for an assignment.

Extra door prize tickets might have been in members minds as a number of reservations were made and payment made well in advance. This years event will be a lot of fun - so members will want to get their reservations in. Contact Olav Messerschmidt or Pat Dolan to get your name put on a place card. Click on the "Annual Banquet Announcement" at the top of this page for details and additional contact information.

Fletchers Become "Ron Wilson Award" winners

November 9, 2007. Almost fifty members and guests celebrated the 2007 sailing season tonight with a banquet, trivia, fun stories and awards.

The "Ron Wilson Award", LSC's most prestigious award, went to Maribeth and Jim Fletcher. This award recognizes dedication, participation and enthusiasm for sailing - traits exemplified by Lansing Sailing Club member Ron Wilson, who died in the early nineties at too young an age.

Each fleet recognized sailors who earned awards by participating in a certain number or percentage of races during the season. Several fleets also had special awards such as the Sunfish Fleet who recognized Junior Sailor Thomas Jost for his participation. The Lightning fleet gave it's Corinthian Award to Mike Moody for actively advancing the interest of the fleet. Mike, although he was unable to skipper for much of the year due to hip replacement surgery, still came out to help with race committee and did some crewing.

Gil Chesbro and Bob Miller were "Crew of the Year", John Kolstoe was "Rookie Crew of the Year" and Scott Watkins received the "Jane Marshall Wet Bottom Award".

Doug Crawford was honored as "Junior Racer of the Year" in recognition of his outstanding sailing, particularly in the Orchard Lake Cup Regatta.

More pictures and information can be found in the November 12, 2007 "e-Sheet".