Recently in the Lightning Class

November 16 - In the News Vakaros Testing Survey Results, NAs Post Race Recap Video Link Town Hall Meeting, Monday, Nov 17, 7:30pm Eastern. Registration link has been emailed to members. Contact the Class Office if you would like to attend and have not received the link.

November 16 - Check out the Member spotlight on Ian & Lindy Edwards, recently awarded Life Membership and their donation of eight Lightnings to the Class!

November 16 -All 79 years and 667 issues of Flashes are now searchable! Read how a group of three LOYALS achieved this feat using AI and elbow grease, and how it might be useful to you! Searchable Flashes

November 6 - Partnership with Finger Lakes Boating Museum expands - New Lightning Hall of Fame Announced!

October 31 - Jody Lutz elected to Executive Committee Meet Jody

October 29 - Read the latest update on G.O.T. Flashes Challenge- newest awards and improvements to the 2026 program!

October 22 - Read 2025 Lightning North Americans Recap on Sail1Design by Heather Kerns, 2025 Boat Grant Recipient!

October 19 - Winner winner, oysters for dinner! Starck ’n Dormy (Brady, Tom, and Carly Starck) win the 2025 Wild Oyster at Carolina Yacht Club - SC, winning 5/6 races. Sundog (Clint, Christian, and June Neuman) took second place with 12 points. Jenna Probst, Adam Probst, and Izzy Stack finished third with 18 points. It’s always a pleasure sailing in Charleston in the fall! Stay tuned for this years report!

October 15 - Have you read the recent email on our Fuel The Flash 2030 fundraiser? We outline the program, its goals and a Call To Action for all. There’s something for everyone – check it out!

October 13 - 2025 BOAT GRANT RECIPIENTS WIN THE 2ND ANNUAL U32 INVITATIONAL! Congratulations to Will Murray, Heather Kerns, and Lucas Goodin, winners of the 2025 U32 Regatta with an impressive 5 points, taking three out of four races. In second place, Timmy Crann, sailing with Lauren and Allie Jones, finished with 17 points. Jenna Probst, Elizabeth Starck, and Paula Herman secured third place with 21 points. It was a fantastic turnout and a day of highly competitive racing at this year’s event in Metedeconk!

October 10 - As we prepare for the 2^nd annual U32 Invitational regatta at Metedeconk River YC this weekend, I was reminded how important building new boats will be for the class to grow and enjoy prosperity. Current owners with 5–15 year-old boats are ready to order new ones, and those boats become available not only to the U32 buyers, but also to current boat owners looking to upgrade. And there are many... Read the Full President's Blog

October 8 - Eight Bells... Dan Dressel, from the Ohio District and active on the National and International circuit in the 70's and 80's.

View All Results, Reports & Photo Links

In 2024, it was a brand-new initiative. In 2025, it officially became a highly-anticipated tradition.

The International Lightning Class Association held the second annual U32 Invitational Regatta for 75 competitors at Metedeconk River Yacht Club on October 11-12. Sailors between the ages of 21-32 descended on the New Jersey Shore for a fall exhibition that proved to be fun on and off the water.

After Friday’s welcome night, racing commenced on Saturday, providing short-course sailing on the Metedeconk River that reminded many competitors of their days in college. A benefit of the Lightning is that sailors can enjoy that quick-hitting style of racing or mile-long courses in the ocean (see September's NAs in Wrightsville Beach) depending on location and regatta.

This regatta proved to be a great promotion for the Lightning Class’ Boat Grant Program, as 2025 recipient Will Murray and his team of Heather Kerns and Lucas Goodin dominated the field. Team Murray won three of four races en route to becoming the second-ever U32 champion. A Hobart-William Smith alumnus, Murray skippered his grant boat throughout the 2025 season, including a top-15 finish at the North Americans.

“The U32 Regatta was a perfect example of what makes the Lightning class so special — intense, tactical racing mixed with an incredibly fun and welcoming atmosphere,” Murray said. “The program is such an important opportunity for younger sailors to get involved, build connections, and see what makes this fleet so special. Sailing the grant boat has given me the chance to experience this community firsthand, and it’s easy to see why so many people stay in the class for life.”

Read the full report here

https://theclubspot.com/regatta/gn3UgJn8w0/class?guest=true

More new features are coming soon, including member forums.

CREATE BUZZ. BUILD MOMENTUM. SAIL MORE. Let’s get involved, get sailing, and GET OUT THERE!

Recently in the Lightning Class

In 2024, it was a brand-new initiative. In 2025, it officially became a highly-anticipated tradition.

CREATE BUZZ. BUILD MOMENTUM. SAIL MORE.
Let’s get involved, get sailing, and GET OUT THERE!