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Lightning Southern Circuit 2008	Log-In to Post

This thread is for the 2008 Lightning Circuit. Amy Smith Linton will be regularly posting updates, but all comers are welcome to share your stories.

The Southern Circuit: 156 years of Lightning Racing and Counting
From Amy Smith Linton, VP of the Southern Circuit

Yeah, okay, I’m working with government math: 50+ years at Savannah, 40+ years in Miami, and 60+ in St. Pete. But in a one-design dinghy that celebrates its 70th anniversary this summer, the 2008 ILCA Southern Circuit comes out to a lot of years any way you add it up.

And a lot of racing (Weather willing! Knock wood!), as sailors start racing over the weekend at Savannah YC’s Deep South Regatta (March 8-9), then after a day for travel, race Tuesday-Wednesday on the aqua waters off Coral Reef YC for the ILCA Midwinter Regatta. Another day for travel, and the racers finish up at the St. Petersburg Winter Championship next Friday-Sunday (March 14-15).

Teams from as far off as Nigeria and Chile are expected, and in the past few years, attendance has been excellent: close to 60 boats or so in both Savannah and Miami, and 70 or more in St. Petersburg. Some skippers partake in only one or two of the events, but a dedicated group of 40 or so will race all three. The fleet include a mix of male and female, youth, seniors, and people in-between, making a mighty competitive fleet with an unexpected number of families on the water. Olympic 470 sailors Amanda Clark and Sarah Mergenthaler will be racing, as well as my own favorite skipper, 2007 U.S. Sailing Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Jeff Linton.

Each regatta has a distinctive character and unique challenges. The Deep South is held on the confluence of the Skidaway and Wilmington rivers, which puts current at the forefront. On shore, other points of discussion: the boisterous no-see-um’s and a ridiculously good oyster roast, and, I hope, the fun new knot-tying contest.

By the time the fleet arrives at Coral Reef, just on the heels of the Star regatta, sunburns have begun in earnest. The class holds a Hula-hoop contest (new this year: “yummy-mummy” and “welterweight” divisions), and successful crew-management includes a judicious approach to visiting the sights of South Beach. To quote Michigan’s Joel Humphrey from last year’s Circuit blog on Scuttlebutt: “If you stay out late enough, the Yacht Club will lock the gates, and then you won’t be able to get your car out of the parking lot, and you won’t be able to go back to your hotel. And so two of your crew will have to sleep in the car, while the other one will have to sleep in the boat.” Words to live by, buddy.

There will be Lightning Lab mini-clinics in St. Petersburg, with various experts sharing tips and techniques. And while 70 or more of the 21-foot-boats on the line makes for a bit of a challenge, the Race Committee earned U.S. Sailing’s top award for race management last year. The banquet on Saturday night includes the announcement of several annual awards, and might ––– if we are especially lucky ––– include a restaging of the dancing from last year.

The best source for results, as well as lots of photos, would be the International Lightning Class website at http://www.lightningclass.org. While you’re there, also check out the ILCA Boat Grant program – SIX boats lent for FREE to young sailors this year. Alternately, the yacht clubs in Miami and St. Petersburg may post results as well, http://www.coralreefyachtclub.org/index.cfm?menu=7542 http://www.spyc.org/club/scripts/view/view_insert.asp?pg=PR&GRP=5564&IID=54419&NS=PR&APP=106

I plan to tap into the native story-telling skills of the Southern Circuit sailors again, and expect to have a great bunch of tales. If you can’t make the Southern Circuit this year, perhaps this e-account will offer some consolation and I hope you’ll be able to be there next year.

Just can’t get enough of these Southern Circuit stories? Check out the Scuttlebutt blogs from the past two years:
2006: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2006/03/lightning-circuit-tour-begins_13.html
2007: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/lightningcircuit/

NYBOZO1
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Mar 6, 2008, 5:39 PM

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So today I learned what it is like to get a flat at 75 mph with a double deck.

Just north of Pittsburgh. Not fun pulling over and keeping the thing straight, all while watching the tire start to smoke.

With all the weight on the bottom trailer we couldn't get the jack under the axle. (it wouldn't go high enough do it under the frame). Luckily we had 2 jacks and ....well it was a time consuming pain...

Worst thing is, the trail, tires etc are brand new.

Good news is, it ain't mine.

The Publisher
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Mar 7, 2008, 8:39 PM

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From Amy Smith Linton:
(March 7, 2008) As of Friday at 5 pm, the parking lot was filling up nicely at Savannah YC. This place rocks, by the way: the bartender, Tony, apologized for not remembering my name, but he remembered my usual drink with no problem. I suppose that might be a reflection of my drinking rather than the hospitality....hmm. Nah.

Great to see folks: Sarah Merganthaler and Amanda Clark, looking very fit on their approach to China, working on rig-tuning. It's the same general principal as a 470, innit? ...Escaping snow country is Jack Jones, Buffaloan Tommy Allen, Rochesteran Jed Dodge & gang, and Cape Codian Neil Fowler (sailing with Katie and Todd Johnson), and Brian Hayes. Over from New Orleans is Tommy Merrick (question of the day: did he bring gumbo??). We have both Hurbans and a handful of Ruhlmans, a squadron of Nigerians, a pair of windblown and tire-blown Davises from Colorado, the Canadian MacDonalds, and last year's winner Dave Starck. There are more more more, but I hope to have stories rather than a roster...

During a lull in the rain/wind this afternoon, while the gnats came in on a blood-donation raid, a couple of boats took to the water. One (nameless) was doing some depth testing (short answer: it ain't deep, especially outside those pesky channel markers), the other was Tobi and Dan Moriarty, with Todd Wake, taking their brand new boat for a champagne toasting maiden voyage.

Several teams headed off to the Oyster Bar for the seared tuna and wasbe potatoes -- and man, was it good -- and on the drive back to our hotel, we noticed that the rain is back and the flags are slapping...some of the finest minds of the People of ILCA ("ill-kah") are working on alternate plans should tomorrow live up to the Weather Channel predictions. We've located the local bowling alley, put hands on cards and poker chips and the Pass the Pigs games. Regardless, the oyster roast shall go on!

ASmithLinton
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Mar 8, 2008, 7:01 PM

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From Amy Smith Linton:
(March 8, 2008) A blow out today. Sorry not to post sooner, but somehow the breeze took the whole fleet (45 or so boats!) aback to downtown Savannah, where a rum front moved in and...well, you all know how this story goes.

At 6 we fetched back up at the Savannah YC, where we had a superb oyster roast with chicken and corn on the cob and cole slaw and apple crunch. And yes, fabulous prizes were awarded in the head-to-head knot-tying contest. Al Terhune was nigh unbeatable, though Will Jeffers was --ahem!-- Lightning fast, and Amanda Clark won herself a very cool fish hat. Surprising numbers of sailors needed a quick brush-up on the knots (remember, the rabbit comes out of the hole, around the oak tree and then back into the hole.) Joy and Adam MacDonald were early adopters, and while we left at 9 o'clock because of oncoming headcolds (oops! it's actually 10 o'clock, Daylight Savings), competition continues still, so I hear.

Temps in the low 30s tonight, and the gusts clocked in the low 40s pretty consistently this afternoon. Tomorrow, the weather predictions say we should have something more civilized: 5-15, and warming to the 50s by midday.

The Publisher
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Mar 9, 2008, 7:27 AM

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On-shore shot of Suzy Coburn and Tobi Moriarty pub-side in Savannah, which has the second largest St. Pat's party in the country.

Bonus reasons for racing Lightnings in Savannah:

ASmithLinton
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Mar 9, 2008, 7:42 PM

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Dave Starck Three-petes at Deep South.
Round-Up Report from Amy Smith Linton, who has, apparently, a lot to say.

The Deep South racing started and finished across Sunday, with three races snapped off in a brisk, mostly breezy day. The racers got an early start (10 am), in the kind of chill that most of the fleet came South to avoid. What Mark Taylor calls Oompa Loompa weather, with human silhouettes snowmanned with multiple layers of fleece. No one can sneak up on anyone else because of the din of foul-weather fabric shush-shushing against itself.

David Starck gave a brief seminar about the challenging conditions at Savannah after the Skipper's meeting on Saturday, and then offered a longer tutorial on Sunday to the fleet of 49 Lightnings. Sailing with his brother Joe and Jared JD Drake, Dave Starck took a commanding lead off the start in Race 1, stayed in the hunt for a 4th in Race 2, and then took 1st in the Race 3. Dave's team seemed to have the challenging conditions -- a new moon made the currents even more powerful -- well in hand.

Thanks to Jody Lutz at North Sails Flags, race winners earn a distinctive brag flag for the Southern Circuit, and while Dave Starck has two so far for the 2008 Circuit, Neil Fowler got the flag in Race 2; both teams will continue on to Miami and St. Petersburg.

Skipper Terry Tyner of the Columbia Sailing Center won the Mid-River Trophy. His name will appear on the extremely attractive model Lightning trophy that lives in the Savannah YC bar. This model, I might add, was built by ILCA president Steve Davis, and goes to the team that beats half the fleet.

A close look at the results will show something unusual: two first-place finishes and two second-place finishes in that last race. Was the racing too close to call? As with so many things, there's a bit more story. The RC granted redress to two boats (my own included) that were called over early. As it happened, the RC had not communicated the individual recall properly (that is, there was no second sound signal). We were surprised after having clawed past Dave and his crew up the last, mud-enhanced leg (a dozen tacks and a dozen depth soundings, and a brief, hectic deployment of the anchor) not to get the gun.

It's a bad sign to have the gunman casually cradling the shotgun in his arms and looking around all nonchalance as one approaches the finish line -- so much more heartening at the end of the race to have that shotgun pointed at the sky.

Rumor tells that one boat hung up on a Marker 40, though I haven't heard the story. I watched the mud capture several of the daring or unwary who went just a smidge to close to shore. One nameless, though vocal skipper cleverly chose to gibe out of his predicament -- a risky upwind move, but it served him well.

I did hear that one 16-year-old missed her hiking straps on the first tack AFTER the finish and got rescued by Savannah YC's crack safety boats. Apparently her Oompa-Loompa outfit worked spongewise in the 50-degree water, and she left a long trail of puddles all the way up the dock.

Now we head South and hope to employ our sunblock and retire the woolly hats.

Deep South Results: http://www.lightningclass.org/Results/results08/DEEP%20SOUTH%202008.xls

The Publisher
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Mar 10, 2008, 6:56 AM

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From Savannah, Lightning class boat grant founders Bill Fastiggi (right) and Al Terhune go head-to-head at the Saturday night knot-tying contest.

The Publisher
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Mar 12, 2008, 6:17 AM

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More from Amy Smith Linton:
I MEANT to tap others to tell the stories, but one of the challenges of the Southern Circuit is that there are SO many things to do from day to day. It's hard to nag when everyone has his/her hands full.

On Monday, most of the fleet pulled into Miami at Coral Reef YC and registered for the ILCA Midwinter Regatta, and some went for practice swims -- I mean practice sails. Then most of us had a decent supper and went to bed as soon as decent. Although I did hear that a team from New Jersey included one younger team member who dragged it on in at 5 AM. That hearty soul merely survived a day of racing, but did not make it for the hoola-hooping contest. (Photos to come!)

Anyway, Tuesday we got onto the water at 9:30, did three races in uncharacteristically light and clouded conditions on beautiful Biscayne Bay. Windward-leewards in something like 10 knots and under. Off the water by 4 ish, with a long line to haul out that moved pretty briskly.

A big (included) supper of pasta and salad and an ice-cream sundae bar by 7, a lively hoola-hooping contest that included contests like the Under 30 Women's division, the Tall Awkward White Guy division, the South American division (with a few honorary So. Americans), the All-African division (we had to get the Nigerian teams on the floor), the Over 40 Men's division, the Over 30 Women's, and generalized hoola-hooping mayhem.

The flu is taking its toll, with Todd Johnson sounding like a faint creaking hinge, Nicole Breault seeming very wan, and Bill Fastiggi looking like a walking mass of clammy fever. Bring on the Cold-Ease and the Theraflu. No more for now, but Wednesday, Scarlett reminds us, is another day...

Results after three races: http://www.lightningclass.org/Results/results08/Miami1-3.htm

The Publisher
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Mar 12, 2008, 6:24 AM

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53 boats in Miami - start photo from race 1

ASmithLinton
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Mar 13, 2008, 7:48 PM

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Delayed Wrap-up Of Miami Midwinters from Amy Smith Linton

Five races in uncharacteristically light and flukey conditions, plus lots of seaweed, but skipper Jody (Swanson) Starck kept the family winning streak going in the Southern Circuit during the Miami leg. Jody sailed a great series of 2,2,3,3,5, with Debbie Probst and Brenda Crane laughing all around the course. Local Bill Mauk came in second, with the Olympic representatives Sarah Merganthaler, and Amanda Clark, sailing with Dad Dave Whelan, and nabbed two brag flags in their series to finish third.

Rob Ruhlman, with both the kids' boats on shore for the Miami leg of the Circuit (History: this family has a Lightning per person, with four boats. They are nearly a fleet unto themselves, and fielded three teams at the Worlds last summer in Greece.), took the opportunity to cut up on Tuesday night -- by all evidence, he is a man who believes any job worth doing is worth doing right –– and headed out to the race course Wednesday morning to near-universal wincing. How, we imagined, could he face the bright sunshine? Anyhow, he's made of sterner stuff, and won both races on Wenesday running away. Someone out there has photos of him sporting the North Flags race-winner trophies. His overall finish? Eighth, and his crew Abby Ruhlman and Dave Werley hope it's the start of a streak...

53 Lightnings were on hand, and Joan Hurban took the highly attractive Middle-of-the-Bay award, another big beautiful trophy that lives at the host club.

Coral Reef YC did the class proud with quick races, speedy posting and dining and awards ceremony, allowing the fleet to hit the road Wednesday almost before rush hour in Miami. Actually, question: is any hour not rush hour in Miami?

Thursday is not quite a lay day, with Tom Allen putting in a solid 12-hour day repairing fiberglass from various oopsies, meetings for the Executive and Governing Boards, and many of the fleet exploring the far corners of the St. Petersburg YC Tiki Bar. The regatta here in St. Pete kicked off with the announcement of a couple of new awards, including the Colin Park Memorial for the highest placing married couple, and the George Fisher Sportsmanship award (elected by ballot across the circuit). After a brief annual meeting (look for highlights on the lightning website www.lightningclass.org), the racers hit the beverage and heavy hors d'oevres sponsored by Coral Reef sports apparel.

Intrepid explorers of the Tiki Hut, etc., please report in! What have you been up to? I mean, I can guess, but the truth is always stranger...

VTech-Sailor
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Mar 14, 2008, 11:26 AM

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Well, considering the weather delay we are in now. I thought I would add a report from the Tiki Hut and local establishment explorers. Having spend a long night driving to St. Pete from up north and a beautiful day setting up the boat, I (as were many other) were ready for some frosty beverages. The St. Pete YC put out some great heavy hors d'oevres (more like dinner). This being my first Lightning Southern circuit, I was stoked for the weekend. There for exploration of the area was needed. After recruiting or more of being recruited into the explorer group, fun times were bound to happen. We questioned the Local YC talent at the Tiki bar where best to go, and they delivered with a great establishment only a stones throw from the YC. I guess St. Pete is a bit of a Spring Break destination, because the crowd was spectacular. I will leave it at the fact that many of us were mentally hurting and tired this morning and kind of happy to see a weather delay of racing today.

The Publisher
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Mar 14, 2008, 2:09 PM

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St. Petersburg Winter Championship
Day One – Friday, March 14, 2008
by Amy Smith Linton
The weather has gone against us today : the fleet of 60-some boats sailed out in light and fading conditions, drifted, and then took a tow in as a line of strong thunderstorms moved across the area. On shore, Giant Jenga competition filled in some time as they waited under postponement, but the day was not to be: the breeze has yet to come up and it's nearly supper time. There's a free keg tapped at the YC, and the Lutz rumpah party is starting on the dock just before sunset.

We'll start all over again tomorrow, but until then, some thoughts from skippers and a few crew-members:

Abby Ruhlman:
At the end of Day One in St. Petersburg, I am winning because I saw a vivid yellow inflatable floating out there, and said, "Hey Jody," just as they put up the cat in the hat. And there was NO DRINKING INVOLVED. My name is Abby Ruhlman, and I approve this message...

Steve Davis:
I am tied for first at the end of Day One in St. Pete because... Hmm. I draw a blank. Wait. I had a gin and tonic, and I don't think I am tied for first anymore. Wait, because I am tied for first because we had jokes all the way out...Elmo can tell you. [editorial aside: Elmo refuses to elaborate...and I am very very relieved not to transcribe.]

John Faus:
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because my mast is NOT in backwards. (Ryan Ruhlman put it in, rigged it fully backwards in Savannah: headstay to backstay, boom resting in trailer mast crutch, etc.) Also because I am hanging out with Rob Ruhlman at night at the St. Pete YC bar (editorial aside: do I hear Pied Piper music faintly in the distance?)

Neal Fowler:
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because someone WISELY decided not to let us sail today. We did however have practice in getting out to the course and back, we are all set for tomorrow.

Kippy Chamberlain:
I am winning today because, um we got no races off? Because we got to the keg first! I would say hi to my wife, but she is not paying attention. Hi babe.

Marcus Eagan:
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because we got to the hoist first and we got to the beer first. And we plan to continue the winning streak through the night....in the hot tub. (editorial aside: Ooh la lah!)

Zak Fanberg
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because ---- this is a tough one. I didn't get hit by a bus and there's a free keg at the St. Pete YC. Everyone is winning because there is a free keg. And oh god, Marcus is planning to take advantage of me (?!!) in the hot tub.

Warren Emblidge
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because I went to the left side of the course and was therefore the first boat picked up by the RC on the way in. I was in prime position to win the hoist. And the tow was one of the fast ones. And they had beer. And they shared. Nayh-nayh-na-nayh nayh.

Gary Reinheimer
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because I am here. I am already ahead of the game. Winning is not as much fun as just being at this regatta. And I love sailing and enjoying the YC in St. Pete.

Joan Hurban
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because -- I am eating a piece of cheese, hang on -- I went to the Lightning Labs yesterday. Came early, tuned my boat and haven't blown it yet.

Gary Hurban
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because I have a buzz. (giggles all around).

John Humphrey
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because we are having lots of fun and it's good to be back in a Lighting.

Tom Allen Jr,
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because...I am dreaming.

David Watts
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because my crew rocks. Did someone else take that one? Because John Faus doesn't have his mast in backwards?

Bill Johns & Gui Castelao:
I am winning on Day One in St. Pete because everybody else went back to the dock. Where is everybody? Get back here you cowards!!

ASmithLinton
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Mar 15, 2008, 3:33 PM

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From Amy Smith Linton

Quick update before the banquet: we had plenty of wind today!
starting around 12 and increasing to ?? 25 ish. With some really exciting 30 knot puffs on the way in.

Three races in St. Pete put Brian Hayes, ILCA class secretary and so much more, in the lead with a 3,2,1. Sailing with crack crew Laura Jeffers and Jay Mueller, he was hard to stop as the breeze came up.

Matt Fisher stepped into the helmsman's role for Dan and Tobi Moriarty, and sailed some great races to second place (1,6,3), while third-place Dave Starck (sailing with wife Jody and Debbie Probst, and I think leading the Southern Circuit now) has the legal limit of smarts on board (2,4,5).

Lots of carnage: it was T-bone day with lots of ouchy-looking damage done. No count as yet, but it was a good day to stay out of traffic.

Racing continues tomorrow.

ASmithLinton
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Mar 16, 2008, 5:30 PM

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The Wrap Up from Amy Smith Linton

Alas, the 2008 International Lightning Southern Circuit is past us now. Using government math once more, there were 171 entries between the three regattas. Real math: 33 boats made all three venues, and hundreds participated between sailing, race-committee work, and assorted bar staff. At least three dozen people made new friends. At least five people made a resolution involving drink and/or working out more. About 300 of us tried with varying success not to tear up during the tribute to George Fisher on the banquet on Saturday night. And about 270 people are presently driving home in a pungent fog comprised of wet gear, misplaced socks, forgotten bananas, and the natural high-tide mark of sailing humanity. Others are surprising their seat-mates on board various packed airlines.

The final leg of the circuit was the 61st Annual Winter Lightning Championship in St. Pete, which finished up in light conditions on Sunday. The RC, headed by Tom Farquahar, started the fleet three times, finally getting them going under the black flag as boats charged the line and racked up 20% Z-flag penalties. Brian Hayes, Sr., a North sail-maker from CT, won the Winter Championship again, and also took top honors in the combined St. Pete-Savannah trophy. Brian sailed with Laura Jeffers of Tarpon Springs and Jay Mueller, also from North in CT. He placed 6th in the final race, making his final score 12 points.

Second place skipper Al Terhune of Annapolis shared the inaugural spot on the Colin Park Memorial Trophy, awarded to the highest placing married couple sailing together at the regatta. He sailed with wife Katie Terhune and Dave Perkowski.

Richard Hallagan of Newport YC of New York, won the Masters division of the regatta, sailing with his long-time crew Rick TenEyck and Dan Pope. He finished 6 points ahead of Miami’s Bill Mauk.

John Sawyer of North Carolina, sailing with Rebecca Sawyer and Dan Morton, took the top of the mid-fleet, which means they were recognized with the big Middle-of-the-Bay Trophy. This will probably come as a surprise, as they had left before the awards presentation. Congratulations!

A brief word about the Southern Circuit banquet:
This is an annual tradition that changes as the time passes. This year, the focus was on recognizing the contributions of Ohioan George Fisher. The Fisher family has had three competitive generations on the water for years, winning national and international titles galore. Despite his terminal diagnosis, George was able to jet down to St. Pete for the weekend to see many of his Lightning friends and award the first annual George Fisher Sportsmanship Award. It goes to the Southern Circuit competitor who demonstrates sportsmanship during the Circuit as voted by the sailors at each venue. The landslide winner was Tom Allen, Jr. Tommy, known for his tireless efforts to keep the fleet’s boats water-tight and sailing, accepted the award with characteristic grace.

As for the Circuit itself, the results came down to the last race, when leading skipper Dave Starck ended on the wrong side of the shift, having to keep 37 points. My favorite skipper, Jeff Linton, won the Circuit by 10 points – with some help from crew Amy Smith Linton, Will Jeffers, and when Will took ill with the flu, pinch-hitting Andy Hayward, who said yes at 8 am on Saturday morning, and made the 70-minute drive in about 45 minutes without a speeding ticket only to work his butt off in big breeze for three races (that’s a good friend!), and Maegan Ruhlman, who was in town with the Fishers and agreed to jump aboard instead of slouching around the Tiki hut on Sunday. Thanks.

Al Terhune took second in the Circuit, while Brian Hayes finished third. Tom Allen, Jr. ended fourth, and Bill Mauk took fifth. Olympic skipper Amanda Clark (with Sarah Merganthaler) won the Humphry Newcomers award for the highest-placing first-time Southern Circuit skipper, while Adam and Joy MacDonald of the Buffalo Canoe Club were awarded the Davis Youth Trophy.

Complete results: http://www.spyc.org/club/scripts/view/view_clubannouncement.asp?pg=PR&GRP=5564&AID=40321&NS=PR&APP=58

The Publisher
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Mar 16, 2008, 6:55 PM

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This photo of Team Lutz by Jody Lutz aboard the mighty yella inflatable.

The Publisher
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Mar 16, 2008, 7:25 PM

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When a boat and a channel mark fall in love -- a doomed romance from the Savannah Leg of the Southern Circuit. Photo thanks to Patrick Wilson.

The Publisher
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Mar 16, 2008, 7:36 PM

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These photos thanks to Patrick Wilson. Taken from shore at the Deep South Regatta in Savannah.

The Publisher
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Mar 20, 2008, 8:47 AM

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From Sarah Mergenthaler/Amanda Clark
US 2008 Olympic representative – Women’s 470
http://www.TeamGoSail.org

-Team Go Sail Takes Third Place at Lightning Mid Winter Champs
-Eight Overall at Lightning Southern Circuit,
-Team Go Sail wins Humphry Newcomers Award

March turned out to be a month of surprises for us. We planned to train in Palma de Mallorca, Spain for two weeks, followed by the Princess Sofia Trophy. However, we got a call a few weeks prior to our departure date bearing bad news: the container carrying our boat from the Worlds in Melbourne was severely delayed arriving in Barcelona. There was no way we could expect our boat in time for any sailing in Palma. We scrambled for a week to find a charter 470, along with all the bits and pieces necessary to get on the water. When we realized it was next to impossible to piece together a decent boat with borrowed gear, we decided to find “alternative” sailing here in the USA. Enter the Lightning Southern Circuit, a Lightning Class tradition for over 40 years.

We have raced Lightnings in the past and have always found top-notch competition and a very deep, talented fleet. The class is chock full of everything from professional sailors to weekend warriors and is famous for it’s casual, family-friendly atmosphere. We made some phone calls to local New Jersey Lightning gurus and within one day we had a brand new boat and sails, generously on loan from Steve Warren.

The Lightning Southern Cicuit is a three-event regatta over 9 days. The first stop was Savannah Yacht Club for the Deep South Regatta. Racing takes place on a shifty river with lots of current. No compass is necessary as the important shifts are more than visible to the naked eye. The real challenge is navigating the race through the maze of the 50+ boat fleet on the narrow river. There were some great mark roundings with 20 boats fighting to get around at once, cross-current in a 30 degree shift. This was great practice for China! Another highlight at the Deep South was Amanda winning a knot-tying contest at the event social event.

Stop #2 was Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami for the Mid Winter Championship. We’ve had lots of racing experience in Miami so we were feeling a little more confident on tactics than we did in Savannah. We had the jets on for the first day of racing in the 53 boat fleet. We registered a 15, 1, 1 with blazing boat speed in the light wind and flat water. We hung on to third place overall for the regatta after five races. Too bad Sarah couldn’t have as strong a result in the annual Lightning hula-hooping competition!

The third and final stop of the road-warrior circuit was St. Petersburg YC on Florida’s west coast. This is traditionally the biggest event of the three as it’s 3 full days of racing. This year’s Winter Lightning Championship drew 70 boats! The first day of racing was cancelled due to no wind but competition heated up on shore with the giant jenga matches. We saw near perfect racing conditions on the second day with 15-20 knots and typical Tampa Bay chop. We had problems hanging with the “big boys” in the heavy stuff as we were sailing very light. Hiking as hard as humanly possible, we were all point and no fast-forward. We finished place 22 overall.

Overall, the Lightning experience was very positive. We got a great chance to take our “470 blinders” off and focus on racing from a different perspective. The talent and experience in the Lightning fleet is impressive. We learned so much from watching and talking with some of the top teams, including 2008 US Sailing Rolex Yachtman of the Year Jeff Linton and 2007 Pan Am Games Medallist David Starck. Talk about mentors! The ending highlight of the trip was winning the perpetual Humphrey Newcomer Award for the highest finishing first-timer on the Southern Circuit. A huge thanks goes out to: Steve Warren for loaning us his very fast boat, Dave Whelan and George Francis for being our third crews, Bill Merg for loaning us his massive suburban to tow the Lightning over 2900 miles and the whole Lightning class for their generosity and hospitality. It was an honor to race with them!

We head to France this week for the 470 Spring Cup in Sanuray Sur Mer, follwed by the French Olympic Week in Hyeres. This should be a great month of training and competing and we are itching to get back into the 470!

The Publisher
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Mar 20, 2008, 9:08 AM

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Re: [The Publisher] Lightning Southern Circuit 2008 [In reply to]	Log-In to Post

Here's a video link from the St. Pete regatta: http://www.tworiversailing.com/St.html