FlashBlast - June 9, 2026
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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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| | Executive Committee Action - June 1, 2026
The Executive Committee extends Vakaros Rase Sense test period for certain events through December 2027 using compass, timer and RED/GREEN OCS Display only. Read the full Action including reasoning. This amendment replaces and supersedes the Amendment to Article VIII posted April 30, 2026.
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Road to Lima 2027
Official Qualification Events – International Lightning Class
The International Lightning Class is pleased to invite sailors to participate in a series of premier regattas that will contribute to the qualification pathway for the Pan American Games Lima, Peru 2027.
| | |  | July 10-12, 2026
4 qualification spots
Buffalo Canoe Club
Point Abino, Onterio, Canada
22 boats already registered. Expecting 30+ boats. 4 Countries are already registered, BRA, CAN, CHI and USA. Clinic Friday afternoon, racing Saturday and Sunday.
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 | August 3–9, 2026
2 qualification spots
Paracas, Peru
Pre-Pan American Test Event. Practice at the host location for the 2027 Games!
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 | September 1–5, 2026
1 qualification spot
Salinas, Ecuador
Expect typical Salinas hospitality.
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| North American Championships
NOR's, On-Line Registration is now LIVE!
Register Today!
August 6-9
August 10-15
(Note: US Qualifier for April 2027 Worlds - St Petersburg, FL)
| | | | 2026 Youth World Championship - June 22-26, 2026
Tuusulanjärven Purjehtijat, Lake Tuusula, Finland
Teams are making their final preparations! We are excited to confirm 2 NEW Countries to the competition, Lativa and Lithuania! They will be joining other teams from Canada, Ecuador, Greece, Peru, United States and of course the host country Finland! 16 teams representing 8 Countries!
One week prior to the World Championships event, the Finnish National and European Championships will take place at the same venue, from June 15 to 18, 2026.
The action is starting soon! Be sure to follow our social channels for the latest updates from Finland! | | | | 8 Bells... Merle "Tim" Grady
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, our Lightning community, in particular our Classic Lightning community, lost one of our long-time members, Tim Grady, of Titusville, Florida. Tim's passion for woodworking and creating things along with his love of the water and sailing made building a Lightning kismet. Tim didn't just build a boat; he built many friendships through that process.
Tim’s vision was to build a practical boat with modern rigging: set up to both daysail in a comfortable style as well as sail the occasional race. His #15477 was named Peregrine. It was a beautiful light blue boat with a Peregrine Falcon emblazoned on his spinnaker. Tim’s rigging diagrams are regularly shared with others as a guide to setting up a boat. He sailed with the Lake Monroe Fleet in Sanford, FL.
| | |  | Limbaugh Fund Committee News!
The Limbaugh Fund is designated to support the education, training, and the promotion of Junior sailing. Uses of these funds have included support for the Youth World Championships, grants for junior programs, funding Junior racing clinics, trophies, promotion of youth regattas, and U32 regatta fee subsidies.
| | Local Boat Grant Playbook
Growing Lightning fleets starts with getting people on the water. Our Local Boat Grant Playbook is a practical guide for anyone thinking about starting a boat grant program or improving one that's already running.
Inside are the frameworks and examples needed to build a program that fits: different ownership models, funding strategies, how to structure operations, and tips for overcoming challenges like volunteer burnout or keeping participants engaged. We've talked to successful programs across North America to bring together what actually works in the real world.
This playbook provides options and real examples so fleets can choose what works for their unique situation.
| | | | Just in time for Father's Day - Sunday, June 21st!
New! Nylon Webbing Belt with Aluminum Slide
Marine Blue or Light Silver - One Size, fits to 42 Cut to length with scissors and heat end to seal. $30
MOLA Hoods! - All sizes and colors IN STOCK!
Lightweight PowerGrid allows for the speedy evaporation of sweat and keeps you warm & mobile as a mid-layer for chilly days on the water. $79
Or REFRESH your sailors favorite HAT! So many to choose from.
Order by June 14 for most to receive by June 20. | | | Volunteer Appreciation Awards April/May 2026
As part of National Volunteer Week, the LOYALS launched a “self-service” Volunteer Appreciation Award that anyone can award. Is there someone in your fleet that deserves a special recognition? Someone working a regatta that should be acknowledged with more than a thank-you? Now’s your chance!
Simply go to Volunteer Recognition Form and complete the easy-to-navigate form. The designated recipient will receive a personalized pdf suitable for printing and framing, and the person completing the form will also receive a copy. It’s an easy way to say "Thank You" for helping with fleet, district or other Class activities and events! | | Congratulations!
Recent Volunteers Being Recognized!
Anne Allen
Mark Schneider
Gustavo Tamayo Arango
Maria Claudia Vargas
Peter Bright
Bev Boyle
Jan Gamer
Nabeel Alsalam
| | | Call For Bids - 2027 North American Championships
Bid deadline is August 1, 2026 with announcement of 2027 Host at the 2026 NAs in Sheboygan.
NA's venue conducive to terrific sailing as well as on shore activities ideally between September and November 2027. See Full Details in 2027 NAs Call For Bids
Women's, Junior and Masters NA's venueconducive to terrific sailing as well as on shore activities during the Summer of 2027, preferably in the beginning of August. See Full Details in the 2027 WJM NAs Call For Bids
| Meeting Notices:
The Annual Meeting of Members will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 0800 Central Time at the Sheboygan Yacht Club. In addition to in person at the NAs, pending local technology it is our intent to also hold this meeting virtually on Zoom for those not able to be present. A Virtual Meeting invitation link will be emailed to members prior to the meeting.
At this time at least 1 item will be presented for vote: the 2026-2027 Proposed Slate of Officers that will be presented by the Nominating Committee. This item and any others will be posted and emailed to members per the Constitution.
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The next Governing Board meeting will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at noon Eastern Time via Zoom. A Virtual Meeting invitation link will be emailed to all District Commodores, Vice Presidents and the Executive Committee prior to the meeting.
At this time there are no items that have been presented for vote.
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Southeastern Districts: Scott Harris, Olivia Burdette, Jim Harris
Jim Dillard / Doc Gilbert Potomac Cup: Trevor Prior & Team
Combined NE & CT/RI Districts/ Spring Regatta: Connor Godfrey, John Ring, Emma Hawko
Southern Districts/Juby Wynne: Larry Frost, Watt Duffy, Mallory Edwards
Pacific NW Districts/Memorial Day Regatta: Luke Ramsay, Rory Walsh, Georgia Phillips
Kotka Ranking: Sakari Pesola, Saara Kuisma, Arttu Tolvanen
Spring Classic: Connor Godfrey, Lauren Manney, Meredith Killion
Regata Mensual: Gustavo Tamayo, Bart Skala, Gabriel Tamayo
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 - be sure to add the event to the ILCA Event Calendar and send in results after the regatta! | Upcoming Regattas through July 2026:
Click on the event for more info or
If you need help listing your events please contact Laura in the Class Office. |
Make it a great weekend of sailing on the beautiful Susquehanna River. Our members look forward to making it so!
All are invited to this 3rd Annual event! Don't miss the FUN!
Join us for the Evans Regatta & Midwest District Championship in Green Bay!
Campeonato Nacional de Lightning
Come and experience Midsummer Nights in Finland!
Lake Carlyle Welcomes All!
This is an open event - please come join us at Pymatuning Yacht Club!
Come sail in historic Charleston!
All are invited to Cazenovia, NY!
Youth Worlds rotate to Finland!
A two day “Open” regatta again for 2026. This will also be the CNY District Championship. We will have an Open fleet for modern boats as well as a Classic fleet (shorter windward mark for Classics). All are welcome! with a boat or without, we will help find you a boat to sail with. Please register at this link: https://keukayachtclub.com/regatta/LsTkyjWKA7
Lightning Class Finland - Keiteleregatta
Country Qualifier (4 slots) for 2027 Pan Am Games. Canadian qualifier for the 2027 Worlds. Optional clinic, debrief and dinner to be held Friday afternoon. Racing Saturday and Sunday. Open to all Lightnings.
Monthly Lightning racing in Colombia!
Lightning Class Finland - Päijännepurjehdus
Join Fleet 79 for two days of racing on beautiful Lake Michigan! PERFECT practice for the WJM NAs!
Seven races over Saturday and Sunday on beautiful Loon Lake in challenging inland lake conditions. Saturday evening a really pleasant get-together at the Walsh's historic cottage. Loon is the Central Canadian District's first half of the Districts, so count on excellent competition.
Long Is. District Championship
Racing in Marblehead! NOTE Corrected Date from initial posting.
Henderson Harbor YC Welcomes All!
UPDATE: Midwest District Championships moved to Evans Regatta in Green Bay on June 13-14. All are invited to this multi class race weekend! Party "on the bricks" Saturday night with live band! Possible return of the bounce house, too!
| | Major Championship Regattas |
Campeonato Nacional de Lightning
Come and experience Midsummer Nights in Finland!
Youth Worlds rotate to Finland!
Country Qualifier for 2027 Pan Am Games (pending approval). Canadian qualifier for the 2027 Worlds. Optional clinic, debrief and dinner to be held in the U.S. Friday afternoon. Racing Saturday and Sunday. Open to all Lightnings.
Come and explore Milwaukee and race on beautiful Lake Michigan!
SAVE THE DATE! Get ready for some great racing in Sheboygan, WI! You'll have your fill of cheese, beer, brats, and FUN!
After a short break in 2025, Lightning action is back in Jacksonville! This year the regatta will be double billed and also serve as the Atlantic Coast Championships!
The Chilean National Championship is BACK in Pucon!
3 Days of Racing in St Pete - now the Midwinter Championship- leave your boat in the area and you will be ready for the St Pete Winter Champs in March and the Worlds in April!
Includes a Master's Winter Championship - Great tune-up for Worlds in April!
Open event for skippers 55+ and combined crew of 130+ as of 12/31/2027
Coming back to Peru! Same location as the 2018 Games.
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2026 Lightning Boat Census
Did you know that nearly 15,700 Lightnings have been built since 1938? And where are they all?
This year, the Lightning Class is going to find out. The Class is conducting a boat census to discover the whereabouts and condition of as many of our boats as possible. The Census will enable us to update our boat registry, engage with boat owners, discover how the boats are being used, and understand people’s plans for them. The results will be used to shape our efforts to grow existing fleets, create new ones, get good used boats into the hands of emerging U32 and collegiate skippers and increase our sailing footprint as we head towards our 100th anniversary in 2038.
Read more at Boat Census Kickoff Information or
go straight to the census and report your boat at Boat Census Survey. | | | International Lightning Class Association
Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
(727) 942-7969 | |