Recently in the Lightning Class

November 5 - Reports from recent Charleston regattas now available! Get the full scoop on the Wild Oyster regatta in Jamie Ewing's report. The 3rd Annual Lightning U32 Invitational was a success! 36 teams, big breeze, and SO MUCH FUN. Read about this years U32 Regatta here and an additional report by Bridget Green, new Lightning Class member.

November 3 - Evolution Sails, U32 Recap, 2027 St Pete Sailing, Worlds NORs, ACCs, 2027 Boat Grant, and more covered in the most recent blast! Read about fall sailing and the big months ahead in the November 3rd FlashBlast edition sponsored by Evolution Sails.

October 20 - Lots of action this month, starting with a great turnout of events October 3-4 incluidng the Leaf Peeper Regatta dominated by Connor Godfrey, and the NJ State Championship won by Keith Taboada. This past weekend in Charleston.... BIG FLEET, BIG BREEZE at the Wild Oyster Regatta. Sailors from up north hoped for warm weather but brought the cold (and plenty of wind) with them instead! Of the 35 boats registered, about half braved the chilly air, and the RC squeezed in three races on Sunday once the breeze settled down. Dave Starck, Becca Jordan, and Jenna Probst went three for three to take the win, followed by James Ewing, Ched Proctor, and Madeline Baldridge in second with 8 points and Tanner Probst, Abbie Probst, and Grace Moore in third with 15. Next up, the fleet heads to Charleston Yacht Club for the U32 regatta, and we hope to see you back at the Wild Oyster next year! View all the results from October here. U32 and the Indiana District Championship will round out the month.

September 29 - A nor'easter slammed the Annual Frigid Digit Invitational in Annapolis, Maryland, but it didn't stop Lightning sailors from getting out on the water! Racing was canceled on Saturday, so the fleet filled the day with clinics, quality time, and enjoying Annapolis. Of the 18 boats registered, 8 braved Sunday's conditions for 2 races. Dave Starck, Jenna Probst, and Becca Jordan won both races. Nabeel Alsalam, Scott Bradford, and Tom Hutton finished second with 5 points, and James Elder, Andrew Dieselman, and Karl Allen took third after winning a 3-way tiebreaker. View the full results & report here.

September 23 - It's officially fall! How are you staying busy? Check out the Event Calendar to see whats going on near you. and..... it's almost time for the 3rd Annual U32 Invitational! 39 TEAMS REGISTERED!!!!!

September 9 - Evolution Sails, Dave Starck Signing Out, Salinas Sailing Week, Pipeline Update, U32 & more! Read the September 9 FlashBlast edition sponsored by Evolution Sails here.

September 5 - September starts off STRONG with Salinas Sailing Week in Ecuador where Team Birkett from Ecuador win all but 1 race to win the 2026 regatta with 6 points. John Birkett, Mikaela Garces, and Stephano Pendola take the win followed by Juan Santos, Emilio Quintero, and Arianne Torre with 18 points. From Peru, Alec Hughes, Matheo Ruales, and Sofia Ruales finish 3rd with 19.7 points. Check the full results here

September 1 - Welcome to our new President Julio Velez, a member of Fleet 405 Salinas Yacht Club. We are excited to have his voice and perspective at the helm! Concurrently with that, after three years as Class President, and a total of nine years on the Executive Committee, Dave Starck is stepping down … but not away Read the full blog, "Many Thanks to Dave Starck".

August 21 - Get the latest!!!! North & South American Championships, Hall of Fame Inaugural Class, Salinas Sailing Week on Deck, U32 soon.... read it all here.

August 15 - 𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐈𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐙 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏! Diaz, alongside Elizabeth and Katherine Starck battle it out in a competitive championship event. The key to success? Staying consistent. check out the full results & special awards here

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2026 Lightning Boat Census

Tracking down all Lightning Class boats, where are they?
Working to get more boats on the water! Visit the blog to learn more

About the Lightning

Design: Sparkman & Stephens, 1938
Over 15000 built
More than 500 fleets worldwide
Length: 19'0" (5.8m)
Beam: 6'6" (2m)
Displacement: 700 lb (318 kg
Draft (board down): 4'11" (151.3cm)
Mast height: 26'2" (7.9m)
Sail area (main & jib): 177 sq.ft.
(spinnaker): 300 sq.ft.
Crew (racing): 3

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SAVE THE DATE! The Lightning Class turns 90 in 2028 and you're invited!

90th Anniversary Regatta & Celebration - June 30 - July 2, 2028

Fleet 1 and the Skaneateles Country Club have helped us celebrate many milestones, now it is time to celebrate 90 years of Lightning sailing! Interested in helping with planning or volunteering at the event? Reach out to Mike Yates.