YES – I want to sail this year with Lightning Fleet 50!

Lightning Fleet 50 sails from the Washington Sailing Marina, located on Dangerfield Island, just south of Ronald Reagan National Airport, off the George Washington Memorial Parkway north of Old Town Alexandria, VA.

Our regular racing season runs from the first weekend in April through the second weekend in November.  We race in the Potomac River Sailing Association (PRSA) spring (April – June) and fall (September – November) Sunday races, leaving the docks at 10:15 AM and returning around 4 PM, followed by socializing and a potluck picnic supper until dark.  In the summer we hold informal races on Wednesday evenings, leaving the docks at 5:30 PM, returning at dusk. We also have local regattas, including the Doc Gilbert Potomac Cup in early May; the PRSA Spring Regatta on Memorial Day weekend; and the Leukemia/President’s Cup in early September.

Many Fleet 50 skippers go to out-of-town weekend regattas during the summer, including the Sweet Corn Regatta at the Susquehanna Yacht Club in Pennsylvania, and the Northern Chesapeake Regatta at Havre de Grace Maryland.

Also, during the summer we do an organized cruise down the Potomac to an interesting destination, such as Ft. Foote or Ft. Washington.  And, on most Saturdays and Sundays during the summer you’ll find a few Fleet 50 skippers just out for a nice day sail.

If you want to join in on the fun, here are a few options:

• Join the fleet (dues are nominal) and we’ll register your name on the Fleet membership roster.
• Send an email and ask us to put your name on the “I want to crew” list.  
• Read about sailing on a Lightning.
• Come on down to the Washington Sailing Marina  – ready to sail – at 9:45 AM on Sundays in April, May, September, and October, or at 5:15 PM on Wednesday evenings during the summer.
• Check our website regularly.
• Add your name to the Yahoo Groups email list.  Simply send a blank email to LightningFleet50-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
• Call a Fleet Officer to talk about participating.
• Purchase a used Lightning.

We hope to see you on the water this year!

David Thompson
Webmaster, Lightning Fleet 50