The 2023 Lansing Sailing Club Tune Up Regatta Report
By Ann Siegle, Fleet 387 Captain
The morning dawned chilly, cloudy and breezy – and it never warmed up, calmed down or cleared up until 5pm. We moved this regatta to May 20 for better weather – but Mother Nature had other ideas! Eight Lightnings – 4 from Lansing, 4 Michigan District guests joined us for competitive, breezy and FAST sailing. Races took, on average, 15 minutes to 17 minutes each, and the next start was 30 seconds after the last finisher, giving crews the feeling of being at a sprint sailing event! No sooner did you get the spinnaker up, than it was time to take it down and go upwind again.
Exciting close racing and a lot of places changing hands made for a great regatta. Taking top honors is Tom Klaban and crew of Czech Mate, Beth Groesbeck and Liam Hanser. Second place, sailing 6 of the 7 races and using their throwout to rest up that last race, John Morely with crew Gary Reinheimer and Alex Morely. Third place, and top LSC boat George Siegle with morning crew Ann Siegle and Mike Moody and afternoon crew Mike Moody and Michael Kovalchick rounded out the top three. LSC sailors get to display the perpetual trophy called “Ye Olde Silver Platter. The sliver platter, engraved with winner names, is mounted to a mahogany transom and surrounded by silver engraved plates – all of the top LSC regatta sailors for the last 40 plus years.
Sailors enjoyed great Race committee headed by principal race officer Marc Bennett (Wayfarer sailor) and assisted by a great crew of LSC members, including 2 photographers (photo links will be forthcoming.)
While we’d love to say that moving the regatta to a later date improves the weather – it does, on occasion! But while we sailed in our frostbiting sailing gear instead of shorts and tee shirts, the competition and friendships are warm and inviting.
Link to photo galleries:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LxmDwjpKAxeC9rXD9
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jVTEdXiPXlZTiDAIn6ziO7MFMMupdPLU?usp=share_link