Phil Pape Photos from St Pete Landside Photos from Southern Circuit
2025 Lightning Southern Circuit concluded Saturday March 22nd in Savannah after starting in St.Petersburg on Sunday March 16th. With racing starting on Sunday, Saturday saw most boats arrive and get out on the water that same day conditions were perfect. Saturday evening the wind started picking up. As part of the Mentor Program, Nick Turney briefed the Fleet with daily weather reports. On Sunday morning he confirmed the wind had arrived and it was predicted to build over the next two days.
Race committee was hopeful of getting at least one race, possibly two in before it became too windy for the fleet. After checking conditions, they radioed back to hold – the wind had picked up 15 knots since the competitors meeting. Class President David Starck and Class Secretary Laura Jeffers started planning right away. If we did not sail, there would be a talk in the boat park. This saw the likes of David Starck, Greg Fisher, Geoff Becker, Brian Hayes, Jody Starck, Jenna Probst and Ian Jones offering their insight and answering questions of how to sail in windy conditions. Teams broke for lunch and explored St Pete. Down time was well spent!
Monday morning brought the same if not windier than the previous day. PRO Todd Fedyszyn reviewed the forecast and with more windy conditions delayed Monday’s start until 1:00pm. With no look of it easing up for the day. An alternative option again came into play. Coach Karl Felger who was present for the mentor/coaching program, held a classroom session. He took the competitors present through the Sailing World Listen and Learn video of David Starck and team at the Helly Hansen regatta in February. Great learning opportunities! If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the YouTube Link .
The 37-boat fleet finally got some racing in on Tuesday. The winds were much lighter, by the end we finally had 2 races in the books. Close racing! Concluding the St Pete portion on Wednesday was a test in patience for all competitors as well as the Race committee. Large shifts, light winds and current combined for a difficult day. Race Committee made a valiant effort to get races in starting 2 and waiting for the wind to fill. Geoff Becker and team won the regatta with Ched Proctor in second. See the winning crew report from Will Murray below.
Full Results from St Pete:
Winter Championship Final Results
Masters Winter Championship Results
Special Awards in St Petersburg were awarded to: Karl Smither Trophy: Bob Shapiro, Recognizing contributions of a Corinthian Sailor, Class Mentor and Lightning Enthusiast. Colin Park Trophy: Madeline & Reed Baldridge, highest placing husband and wife team. Middle of Tampa Bay Trophy: Tom Allen, Jane Allen and Mike Osborne.
It was now time to pack up and head to Savannah. Thursday saw teams arrive at Savannah YC. Savannah was ready for them with a welcome party and a RRS talk. Friday morning in Savannah brought good wind and chilly temps. All competitors were glad for the noon start as the temps warmed up. Racing saw a tight fleet. By the end of the day 2 races were completed with David Starck leading the fleet. Savannah YC hosted the 27-boat fleet to some southern hospitality with an oyster roast. Saturday again saw good breeze and some challenging racing. Race committee did a great job getting 3 races in. David won the regatta, with Deb Probst taking second. The Middle of River Trophy went to Tom Allen, Jane Allen and Allison Hanson.
Deep South Regatta Results
L-R: Tom Starck, Sharon McIntosh, Artist, David Starck, Jenna Probst
With racing concluded – the overall circuit winners were announced. 1 David Starck and team, 2. Ched Proctor, 3. Deb Probst, 4 Josh Goldman, 5. Joe Starck.
Southern Circuit Overall Results
Special Awards were awarded to: Davis Youth Award: Blake Stevens; Jack Mueller Grand Master (65+)Trophy: Josh Goldman; Dr Georges Peter Great Grand Master (75+) Award: Ched Proctor; Humphrey Newcomer Award: Steve Callison, highest placing first time Southern Circuit; George Fisher Sportsmanship Award: Debbie Probst.
The circuit was a great time to reconnect with friends, learn and of course go sailing. There was a great mix of sailors. The U32 group was well represented as well as the slightly older group. For those of us from the North, it was a great time to do what we love and escape the cold. No one could complain about the sunshine and camaraderie that was present. It was a great opportunity to be on the water as well as learn from some of the best. As part of the Mentor Program, Coach Karl Felger provided support/feedback on the water as well as on the dock at both regattas. Now the boats are packing up for the European Championship and World Championship in Greece. Boats will be shipping soon for that June Regatta. Good luck to all those going!
2025 Winter Championship Regatta Report by Will Murray
My name is Will Murray, and I’m honored to be a 2025 Lightning Boat Grant recipient. I grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and began sailing during my freshman year of high school. I recently graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where I competed for four years on the varsity sailing team. Though I’m still relatively new to the Lightning Class, I’ve already seen firsthand how welcoming, competitive, and supportive the community is. The 2025 Winter Championship was my second major regatta in the class and my fourth event since I began sailing Lightnings in 2023 — and it far exceeded my expectations. I had the incredible opportunity to sail with 2015 Lightning World Champion Geoff Becker and Lightning Class Secretary Laura Jeffers, whose experience and guidance were invaluable throughout the event.
The 2025 Lightning Winter Championship in St. Petersburg served up a full range of Florida weather, offering as much time for camaraderie as it did for sailing. Day one was blown out, with a strong and unstable warm front forcing the fleet to stay ashore. Just as the first few boats began leaving the dock, the postponement flag went up, and eventually, PRO Todd Fedyszyn made the call to abandon racing for the day. While we didn’t get on the water, I had the chance to connect with a lot of sailors from across the Lightning class. The class community is one of the highlights of these events, and I learned a lot just by talking to others and hearing stories from past regattas.
Day two greeted us with a ripping cold front — arguably the strongest of the Florida winter season — bringing 25–30 knot winds. We remained postponed on land with hopes of a late-day window, but by 2 PM, Todd put up the AP over A, and David Starck kicked off the annual rum party. Again, the social side of the class was in full swing, and I enjoyed meeting even more new people and hearing their insights.
Finally, day three brought sailable conditions. The start time was moved earlier to catch the northerly breeze, which was expected to die off. After a few practice starts to introduce the fleet to the new Vakaros system, the first race got underway. Shifty, unstable breeze and a right shift defined the race. We worked our way to the top right and rounded the weather mark in third. A fast downwind leg helped us take the lead, and we held on for the win by staying fast and managing the fleet well. Huge credit to my teammates, Geoff and Laura, who coached me through boat movements and trimming in the tricky breeze.
Race two saw a lighter and more easterly breeze. We were OCS, but thanks to the Vakaros system, we recognized that instantly, cleared quickly with a gybe, and found a lane leading to the right. Though we were behind early, we steadily passed boats, climbing back to fifth by the finish. Conservative tactics and solid boat speed made the difference, especially as the wind dropped to nearly nothing by the end of the final leg. The breeze shut off entirely after the race, and the fleet was eventually towed in ahead of the banquet.
That evening at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the class gathered for a fantastic dinner of corned beef and cabbage in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The 50/50 raffle raised over $2,400 for the Lightning Boat Grant Program — an awesome show of support from the class.
On the final day, another early start was scheduled to try and capitalize on a light morning southeasterly breeze. The fleet got off one start in 5–6 knots, but by the bottom mark, Tampa Bay was glassy, and the race was abandoned. We waited for a sea breeze, and around 1 PM, a light breeze filled in from the west. The RC scrambled to set a course, but after an unstable and current-heavy leg and a messy gate rounding, the final race was also abandoned, concluding the regatta.
While we only got two official races in, the event was a massive success in terms of learning, connecting with the class, and experiencing the full spectrum of Florida’s spring weather. Huge thanks to my teammates, Geoff and Laura, for their guidance and support, and to the entire Lightning class for making it such a welcoming and fun experience. I am super excited to be able to compete in many more events this summer, thanks to the Grant Boat Program!
Below: SPYC Commodore, Geoff Becker, Will Murray, Laura Jeffers, Regatta Chair Karen Park
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ST PETE MIDWINTERS . . . and more!
By John Werley, Pymatuning Fleet 36, #15015
Folks were surprised at registration when we said this was our first Midwinters. We’ve been sailing Lightnings for over fifty years (yikes!), but my job as a landscape architect and father of two sports-active kids never allowed us to take the time in March to attend. With both jobs gone (retired) as well as the kids (out of the house), the time was right!
Yes, it was a sailing event, but I also found it to be equal parts camaraderie and social event. The hospitality of St Pete Yacht Club really made it special. You were included, and you were welcome. And even when you went where you weren’t supposed to be, they had a good sense of humor about it and helped you out. You don’t get that everywhere you go.
The first two days ended up being very windy, and I was pleased that the Race Committee was deliberate in their approach to the 20+ knot conditions. Kudos to Dave Starck and his “panel” of experts that gave a really helpful and broad-reaching clinic on heavy air boat handling, as well as to the Mentors who helped out on day two with more instruction. As Geoff Becker said at the trophy presentation, you just don’t find other classes that so openly and willingly share all their best stuff to help everyone go fast.
In addition to the on-shore race talk, there was a social event every day - a welcome party, an “unofficial scheduled” rum party, and the banquet - which gave us all a chance to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. The U32 movement was apparent, and I came away feeling that the momentum of the Class is really energetic and forward-looking.
It was also a good reminder that events can be very successful and rewarding without having to sail in unduly-challenging conditions – whether sailing in super-light air conditions or super-heavy air conditions. The RC worked hard at setting good courses, were excellent communicators, and made what I felt were very good decisions under trying conditions at the front and back end of the event.
My take-away – the social side of a regatta, as well as the sailing, are what make a lasting impression on many of the participants who, like me, are probably not going to be the top finisher. And St Pete sent me away hoping to come back next year!
Postscript: I wrote this as we drove from St. Pete to Savannah. Upon arriving in Savannah, it was my turn to be surprised – Savannah’s hospitality was at least as good if not better than even that of St. Pete! There was a welcome party and a very informative talk about the current; there were multiple dock men to help put the boats in and out every day; they provided all-you-can-eat shuck-your-own oysters; and there was a marvelous banquet that showed us what southern fried chicken is all about! Day 1 sailing was cold and breezy, until it died; Day 2 was moderate and puffy. Again, the Race Committee worked super hard on both days to get in as many races as possible while maintaining good courses. And again, it was the social side of the regatta that contributed to the lasting impression that we need to do this again – here’s hopin!
John Werley is 4th from left, pictured here with the rest of John's Fleet Members from Pymatuning Fleet 36!
SAVE THE DATE for 2026 and start getting your team and boat organized!
March 21-25, 2026 - Winter Championship, St Petersburg Yacht Club (4 days of racing)
March 26-28, 2026 - Deep South Regatta, Savannah Yacht Club (2 days of racing)