Dear friends of the Lightning International Class,
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, sailors will race on the Delaware River in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge, with the Philadelphia skyline as the backdrop — and this year, we’re doing it in honor of America’s 250th birthday.
There is no better place to mark the Semiquincentennial than the city where independence was declared, where Franklin flew his kite and founded his fire company, and where the Liberty Bell still stands. Liberty Sailing Club, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia, and Riverton Yacht Club are proud to host the Philadelphia Cup Regatta together for the first time, and we’d like your club on the water with us.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
• Racing area: Delaware River, Center City Philadelphia
• Event HQ: Independence Seaport Museum Boat Shop, 211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
• 0730 — Breakfast at Independence Seaport Museum
• 1025 — First warning signal (no warning signal after 1530)
• 1800 — Awards Ceremony with special America 250 recognition
• 1845 — Regatta Reception: America’s 250th Birthday Celebration
Class champions have their names engraved on The Philadelphia Cup, the event’s perpetual trophy. Every skipper receives a skipper bag, which this year includes a commemorative America 250 patch.
WHO CAN RACE
J27, J22, Lightning, Flying Scot, Mariner, V15, Laser, Thistle, Corinthian Sloop, and Sunfish, plus PHRF and other one-design classes at the discretion of the Organizing Authority. Three boats constitute a class, so bring a few friends from your fleet.
REGISTER HERE
https://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/50909
WHY REGISTERING EARLY MATTERS
Our sponsors have been generous, and the sooner we know how many boats are coming, the more we can secure for you: free and low-cost moorings, slips, and trailer storage. Those arrangements are made on the strength of our registration numbers — every early entry helps us lock in more for the whole fleet. Early entry fees run through September 8 ($30 Laser/Sunfish, $45 other dinghies, $70 keelboats), and rise after that.
Launching by crane at Independence Seaport Museum is available for designated one-design boats, and our logistics team is glad to help with storage and trailering.
PDF Flyer Link
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
I’ve attached the Philadelphia Cup Regatta flyer — please post it on your club website, share it in your newsletter, and pin it up on the bulletin board at the clubhouse. The more sailors who see it, the bigger the fleet on the line.
If your club would like to bring a group, reply and let us know roughly how many boats — we’ll work to accommodate you.
Come sail for the Cup, and help us give the country a proper 250th birthday on the river where it all began.
Warm regards,
Laura Ness
Regatta Director, Philadelphia Cup Regatta
161 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106