WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHTNING CLASS
The Lightning, a 19-foot trailerable centerboard sloop, designed by Sparkman & Stephens as an affordable family day sailor and racing boat. She has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world. The Lightning's rig is simple, but offers sophisticated sail shape controls. The hull features a unique hard chine design that combines the stability that provides sail-carrying power, with flat bottom sections that promote planing. There's room in the cockpit for two couples or a family to daysail. The Lightning is easy to launch and light enough to trailer with ease. In the event of a capsize, she can be righted and sailed dry by her crew. Get "The Best of Both Worlds." Get into a Lightning!
Salinas Tomine Championship 02/3/12-02/5/12
Lightning Ski Weekend 02/4/12-02/5/12
Houston YC Midwinter Regatta 02/11/12-02/12/12
Deep South Regatta 03/10/12-03/11/12
Lightning Midwinter Championship 03/12/12-03/14/12
Winter Championship 03/15/12-03/18/12
1st Annual Virginia Moonshine Regatta 04/14/12-04/15/12
Italian National Championship 04/22/12-04/24/12
Texas District Championship 04/28/12-04/29/12
51st Long John Regatta 04/28/12-04/29/12
Lake Lansing Regatta 05/12/12
WOOD Regatta 05/18/12-05/20/12
Spring Classic 05/19/12-05/20/12
The Early Bird at Cedar Point 05/19/12
Bayview One Design Regatta 06/2/12-06/3/12
Brant Beach Annual Regatta 06/9/12
Sandusky Sailing Club One Design Regatta 06/9/12-06/10/12
Boyne City Regatta 06/9/12-06/10/12
Caz Flash Bash 06/16/12-06/17/12
Bay City Regatta 06/23/12-06/24/12
CAD Championship 06/23/12-06/24/12
HYC Luekemia Cup Regatta 06/23/12-06/22/12
Champagne Regatta 06/24/12
European Championship 06/28/12-07/1/12
Michigan District Championship @Pontiac YC 06/30/12-07/1/12
Great Lakes Championship @ North Cape YC 07/14/12-07/15/12
Lightning Youth World Championship 07/23/12-07/27/12
Higgins Lake Regatta 07/28/12-07/29/12
Atlantic Coast Championship 07/28/12-07/29/12
Women, Junior & Master North American Cham 07/31/12-08/4/12
North American Championship 08/4/12-08/10/12
Crescent Sail Yacht Club Regatta 08/25/12
White Cap Regatta @ Pontiac YC 09/8/12-09/9/12
Bruce Goldsmith Regatta @ Devils Lake 09/15/12-09/16/12
CAZ One Day Regatta 09/22/12
Charleston Wild Oyster Regatta 10/20/12-10/21/12


12/28-12/31  Campeonato Nacional de Lightning 2011 – Copa BCI  blog
Puerto del Estero – Pucon, Chile
  1. Tito Gonazelz, Chritián Herman, Alberto GonzalezJr
  2. Felipe Robles, Cristóbal Molina, Pablo Lorca
  3. Diego Gonzalez, Aranza Gumucio, Trinidad González
12/17-12/18  Hot Buttered Rum Regatta
Mission Bay Yacht Club - Fleet 194/Mission Bay, CA
  1. Scott Finkboner
  2. Larry Schmitz
  3. Doc Caroe
12/3-12/4  Copa Laguna II
Laguna Aculeo, Chile
  1. Cristóbal Pérez, Philipp Goyeneche, Pablo Cerna
  2. Fco. Pérez Vargas, Cristián Pérez, Micah Ortúzar
  3. Felipe Robles, Andrés Guevara, Pablo Lorca
  • NEW! 2012 Southern Circuit March 10-18, 2012; Deep South, Savannah YC March 10-11, Midwinter Championships, Coral Reef YC March 12-14, Winter Championship, St Petersburg YC March 15-18 Notice of Series;   NOR Savannah  Who's Coming to Savannah ;   NOR Miami  Who's Coming to Miami  NOR St Pete   Who's Coming to St Pete
  • NEW! Proposed Amendments - March 2012 - Please review these proposals before the Winter Governing Board Meeting. A series of amendments have been proposed for vote during the March 2012 Winter Meetings. Ballots will be distributed to all Governing Board Members for Amendments 1, 2 and 3. These items will be discussed and voted on during the Governing Board meeting, March 15, 2012 at 9am, Quarterdeck Room at the St Petersburg Yacht Club. Amendment 1 and Amendment 2 are proposed permanent changes and Amendment 3 is a 1-year proposed amendment specific to the 2012 North American Championship in Houston, TX. For incite on why the temporary proposal was submitted, click here. If you have comments on any of the proposals please either contact your District Commodore or any member of the Executive Committee to share your thoughts.
  • NEW! Proposed Amendment - March 2012 - Please review this proposal before the Winter Meeting. Please review the proposed amendment to the Constitution that will be voted on at the Winter Meeting, March 15, 2012 - St Petersburg YC, 6pm in the Ballroom. Ballots will be distributed to all Fleet Captains.
  • 2012 ILCA Boat Grant Program! Call for Applications Press Release. Program Information APPLICATION DEADLINE 12/31/11!
  • NEW! 2013 North American Championships have been awarded to Cedar Point Yacht Club, Westport, CT home to Fleet 126 and the Women's, Juniors and Masters' North American Championships to Nyack Boat Club, Nyack, NY home of Fleet 75.
  • NEW! Congratulations to Rob Crane! Rob Crane, son of Brenda and Jim, Darien, CT is going to represent the USA at the Olympics next summer in the Laser Class!
  • NEW! Lightning Ski Weekend - All Lighting Sailors are invited to join the New England District as they hold their annual Lightning Ski Weekend, Feb 4-5, 2012 at Sugarbush Ski Resort, Warren, Vermont! More Information
  • NEW! 2014 Youth World and 2015 World Championships - The Executive Committee met and accepted the Buffalo Canoe Club's bids to host these events.
  • NEW! North Cape Yacht Club host of the 2011 North American Championships was awarded US Sailing's One-Design Yacht Club of the Year Award! Award Nomination Congratulations to Laurie Dieball, her amazing team of volunteers and the rest of Fleet 42!
  • 2012 Southern Circuit Logo Contest! Congratulations to winner Katie Bonanni! For the best design you won a $50 Gift Certificate to APS (Annapolis Performance Sailing)! Contest Information
  • Congratulation's to Debbie Probst from Fleet 12 on being elected as the 5th Executive Committee Member. Debbie will continue to serve with Elected Executive Committee Members: President, Rob Ruhlman; Chief Measurer, Bill Clausen; Secretary, John Faus and Treasurer, Victor Lobos.
  • Pick up the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Sailing World and check out the "Jobson Report" on "Connecting the Generations", David Starck and family front and center along with kind words about our class. Jim Carson and the Fisher brothers Matt and Greg are mentioned as well.....nice read.
  • It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Sylvan "Doc" Newman Texas District, founding member of Fleet 435.
  • Call for Bids! Is your club interested in hosting a major Lightning Championship? The Class is accepting bids for many upcoming Championships. For a complete list of regattas click here!
  • 2012 ILCA Youth World Championship: July 23-27, 2012, Tuusulanjärven Purjehtijat, JÄRVENPÄÄ, FINLAND Information  Event Website  Facebook Link
  • 2012 North American Championships July 31-August 10 awarded to Houston Yacht Club, Texas District August 2012! WJM Schedule  Championship Schedule International Charter Info
  • 2012 South American Championships - November 2012, exact dates TBD. Hosted by Fleet 501 in Colombia.
  • NEW! International Fleet Development Initiative Report - an ILCA Fund project.  6th container arrived in Chile 11/2011! Container arrives in Australia! Photo
  • Wooden Lightning Events: For more information about Classic Lightnings Click Here! or visit our Active Message Board
  • New Executive Secretary for the ILCA The class office has officially moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida. New phone number (727) 942-7969, Fax (727) 942-0173. E-mail remains the same, office@lightningclass.org
  • If you have old Flashes from 1976, 1977, or 1978 and are willing to donate them to the Class, please contact Laura at office@lightningclass.org.
Our Supporters
ILCA Supporters North Sales link APS website link Fuzzy Specialties email address Allen Boat Company website link Nickels Boat Works website link Sailors'Tailor website link Capital Logo website link North Flags website link Rooke Sails website link Dieball Sailing website link