Corrected FlashBlast - August 22, 2025
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Single advertisements are available for each Flash Blast. For more information or to reserve your spot please contact Laura in the Class Office or at 727-942-7969.
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| | 8 Bells... Edwin "Eddie" Adams
It is with sadness we share the news of Eddie's passing on August 6th. He was born and raised in Fairhope, AL.
He was a member of Lightning Fleet 135 - Mobile Bay and was seen at many Southern District, FL Winter and North American Championships racing with his Dad, Stuart, on Electric Oyster or crewing for good friend, Ben Herman. He will be missed in the Lightning Family.
Eddie was a sailor through and through, chasing his childhood dream and turning his passion into his life's work, racing sailboats around the world. He lived on his own terms, always with a smile that could light up a room. Whether he was racing towards the next mark or telling stories in the parking lot, Eddie brought his energy and authenticity everywhere he went, never failing to be his truest self- and that's what made him so special. His smile, quick wit, and unmistakable presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Learn more about Eddie | | |  | Standard Pricing ends Sunday, August 31st!
Late Fee Begins Sept 1st
Link to print and post the above U32 Flyer at your Yacht Club! | | The Carolina Yacht Club and Fleet 511
are excited to welcome Lightning sailors
September 23-28, 2025
for the North American Championship! | | | Notice of Race - Amendment 8/15 is posted on Clubspot. This amendment allows for the use of the Vakaros RaceSense Technology. The Class tested this technology at the 2025 Winter Championships in St Pete and we will have another test event with the NAs. Nearly 50 boats are registered so far. We know of more boats planning to attend. PLEASE REGISTER NOW if you are planning to come! A Late Fee goes into effect September 15th. Registration is limited to 70 boats. Please read the NOR for full details.
Watch for a special Merchandise Order Link coming soon.
There are a few boats still looking for crew. If you are interested in sailing or if you are still looking for crew please contact the Class Office: office@lightningclass.org
Clubspot Event Page - NOR, On-Line Registration, etc. | CALL FOR BIDS
2026 Women’s, Junior & Masters North American Championships
2026 North American Championships
Championship AREA/REGION HOST: Midwest / Northeast USA
Deadline for bids: September 1, 2025. Winning bid will be announced during the 2025 ILCA North American Championships at the Carolina Yacht Club, September 23 - 27, 2025
Questions? Contact Joe Starck, VP of NA's
The 2026 NA's will be the US Qualifier for the 2027 World Championship that will be held at a North American Venue.
Full Details: 2026 NAs - Call for Bids |
2025 Women's, Junior and Masters'
North American Championships
Larchmont Yacht Club
Larchmont, NY
August 8-11, 2025
Three fleets totaling 43 boats gathered at the beautiful Larchmont Yacht Club for the 2025 Women’s, Juniors and Masters’ North American Championships. Competitors ranged from 12 years to 85 years old. With light to medium winds over the three days of racing, there were both opportunities and challenges for all!
Jenna Probst, hot off her win at the Thistle Women’s Nationals, took top honors in the Lightning Women’s Championship as well, with teammates Maya Weber and Martina Perez Aguirre.
Junior Champion, winning three of five races, was Sabrina Starck with sister Jamie Starck and Jane Rathbun. Starck’s team and the 2nd place team each qualified to represent the US at the Lightning Youth World Championship to be held on Lake Tuusula in Finland, June 22-26, 2026.
Great-Grand Master and perennial champion Ched Proctor won the overall Masters Division with crew Meredith Killion and Ted Ferrarone. Huge shout-out to the wonderful crew at Larchmont for outstanding hospitality. Full results & On the Water Photos by Art Petrosemolo
Below is a great video of photos by Maureen Koeppel |  |
The Annual Meeting of the International Lightning Class Association was held in person at the Women's, Junior and Masters' North American Championship and via Zoom on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 0800 Eastern Time.
The one item presented for vote passed. The 2025-2026 Proposed Slate was passed with the addition of Sanni Siira from Finland filling in the VP of Youth Worlds Position. Proposed Slate 2025-2026 Governing Board
If you were not able to attend here are links to the meeting materials including the written reports:
| The next Governing Board Meeting will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 1200 Eastern Time via a Virtual Meeting using the ZOOM Platform. District Commodores, Vice Presidents and the Executive committee have been emailed the invitation link. If you are a District Commodore or Vice President and have not received the link please contact the Class Office.
No items have been presented for vote.
If you would like to be added to the agenda or if you have something to share during either meeting, please send a request or short written report to Class Secretary Jeffers office@lightningclass.org or Class President at president@lightningclass.org by Monday, September 8, 2025. |  | The LOYALS are sponsoring a challenge:
G.O.T. Flashes (Get Out There).
You earn recognition for the number of days you sail a Lightning. NOT just skippers or racing – crewing, daysailing, practicing – basically any day you get out there and sail a Lightning counts.
Click on GOT-Flashes Challenge Log to access an easy-to-use log. The LOYALS will track and automatically send recognition stickers when you hit 10 days, 25 days and 50 days. Use it as a fleet builder, and to engage your fellow sailors to GET OUT THERE! Challenge your fleet members, or other fleets, to join you/beat you on the Leader Board, published weekly.
The program is very simple - full details can be found here. GOT Flashes Program Details We hope you join in the fun!
August 21st Blog Post - As the G.O.T.-Flashes total surges past 1,000 days logged in the wake of the WJM's at Larchmont YC, widely regarded as one of the most fantastic events ever, a titanic struggle for the top of the Leaderboard has evolved between a wonderful guy in Missouri sailing for the fun of it with his family and friends on Lake Jacomo, and the rest of the Lightning Class having a fantastic time racing against each other across the globe.
Ken Brown continues to dominate the Leaderboard, now with 40 days in a Lightning to his credit. Looking at the comments section of his G.O.T.-Flashes input data, I find postings of "Another great day on the water", "Another day sailing - I love this boat", "Went out with an old friend, his first time sailing", and "What's becoming our Wednesday night sailing with James". Perfect! Click Hereto finish reading this weeks Blog!
| CALL FOR BIDS
2027 World and Master World Championships
AREA/REGION HOST: North America
Deadline for bids: December 1, 2025. Questions, Contact Josh Goldman, VP of Worlds.
Full Details: 2027 Worlds - Call for Bids | |
MI District Championship - Tie between Team Allen and Team Hilger
Squam Lake Regatta - Rob Dresser, Dave Rogers
Women's North American Championship - Jenna Probst, Maya Weber, Martina Perez Aguirre
Junior North American Championship - Sabrina Starck, Jane Rathbun, Jamie Starck
Masters' North American Championship - Ched Proctor, Meredith Killion, Ted Ferrarone
BCC Youth Invitational - Adam Starck, Katherine Starck, Joe Starck
Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Marblehead - Connor Godfrey, John Ring, Kim Rosell
Midwest District Championship - Craig Pomeroy, Erika Crane, Liv Lampone
CNY Districts & Henderson Harbor Founders Regatta - John Newell, Owen MacDonald, Sarah Coftick
Carolina Yacht Club Invitational - Scott Harris, Jim Harris, Rachel Smith
Charleston YC Open Regatta - Will Rucker, Jamie Ewing, Granger Osborne
Atlantic Coast Championships - Bill Healy, Caroline Healy, Kristen Healy
Please be sure to submit your results with CREW NAMES to the Class Office via EMAIL office@lightningclass.org . If you have a short summary and a few photos even better!
If your regatta isn't listed here - be sure to add the event to the ILCA Event Calendar and send in results after the regatta! | Upcoming Regattas through October:
Click on the event for more info or
If you need help listing your events please contact Laura in the Class Office. |
A combination regatta at Havre de Grace, Maryland
Come join us for a great weekend of sailing on the Susquehanna River. Winds and temperatures are usually good this time of year.
Fun filled one day regatta on beautiful Bow Lake in Strafford, NH. Great food and drink, amazing taco dinner with all the fixings and lots of other stuff too, superb racing and excellent camaraderie.
One Day Regatta! Come and sail on Long Beach Island!
Central NY in the Fall - nothing better!
2 Days of Fall racing on the Potomac River in Washington DC. Beautiful time of year to sail with the Washington Monument and Capitol Dome as your backdrop. A multi-class event run annually for decades. Sept 20-21. Check the Potomac River Sailing Assoc. website for additional information as it is available (Link shown below)
This is a great opportunity for one last practice before NAs. Come sail in Annapolis on your way to the North American Championship.
To be held on Clearfork Reservoir near the village of Lexington, Ohio.
September dates - Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing.
Last (and best attended!) Lightning Regatta of the year in New England. Great facilities, Great wind, Great race Committee, Great turnout, lots of fun and lots of racing! This is a spectacular time of year to come visit Vermont.
It's happening! Pushed back 1 week due to NA's. Join us!!
In it's second year, U32 is a Lightning class initiative focused on strengthening the younger generation in the class by creating fun, competitive events to boost camaraderie and connections among young sailors after aging out of junior events. Join us for the Second Annual Under 32 "U32" Regatta hosted at the Metedeconk River Yacht Club! Sign up today registration is only $60/person.
15th Annual - Fantastic Weekend in Charleston! Clinic on Friday, Racing Sat/Sun
| | Major Championship Regattas |
September dates - Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing.
Includes a Master's Winter Championship and first Part of the Southern Circuit.
Final stop of the 2026 Southern Circuit!
Come and experience Midsummer Nights in Finland!
Youth Worlds rotate to Finland!
| International Lightning Class Association
Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
(727) 942-7969 | |