Skip to main content
International
Lightning Class Association
HomeBoat Grant-Murray-2025

Boat Grant Program




Team Murray  
 

2025 Lightning Boat Grant Skipper –Will Murray
Crew -Tess Weber, Heather Kerns

Will has extensive experience across multiple sailing classes, including college sailing, Lightnings, C420s, Nacra 15s, Melges 15s, and ILCA 6s. As a collegiate sailor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, he was the coed A Division Skipper for his junior and senior years and a team MVP. His technical skills in rigging, tuning, and maintenance are complemented by his ability to lead and inspire teammates and young sailors as a competitor and coach. 

Heather’s sailing resume highlights her versatility and dedication. A four-year varsity sailor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, she served as a co-captain in her senior year. She earned numerous accolades, including the Christine Jurczak '00 Sailing Coaches Award and the Ady Simmons '96 Most Valuable Award. Heather’s experience includes competing in the Lightning North American Championships, the U32 Lightning Championship, and other high-level events across classes such as college sailing, J/70s, Lasers, and high school 420s. 

Tess grew up sailing in the Lightning class, providing her with a deep understanding of the boat and its dynamics. She was a captain at Hobart and William Smith Colleges for two years and demonstrated her leadership on and off the water. Tess’s experience as a bow in the Lightning class and her infectious promotion of the Lightning truly exemplifies her commitment to the sport. Her familiarity with the class and role-specific expertise will contribute significantly to our team's success. 

"The community in the Lightning class is unlike any other. As three former college sailors looking for their next “team,” we think participating in a class with a culture of shared knowledge and communal growth is a fantastic opportunity." - Heather Kerns

"Sailing in the Lightning class has been one of the most rewarding sailing experiences so far. From my first regatta at Keuka Lake, the Champagne Regatta, to competing in the North American Championships and skippering at the U32 event at the BCC, I have been consistently impressed by the class’s unique combination of competition, camaraderie, and dedication to improvement. The welcoming atmosphere and the collective drive to better the fleet are unlike 
anything I have experienced in other classes." - Will Murray

Tentative Regatta Schedule: 

Lake Champlain: May 31st-June 1st
CT/NE RI Districts: June 28-29th 
Lake Erie Districts: July 12-13
WJMs: August 8-11th 
North Americans: September 23-27th 
U32: October 11-12th




Sponsor Number URL address
Sponsor 1 https://www.marksetbot.com/
Sponsor 2 http://www.onedesign.com/Default.aspx
Sponsor 3 https://www.thesailinginc.com/lightning
Sponsor 4 http://nickelsboats.com/
Sponsor 5 http://awardandsports.securesites.net/
Sponsor 6 http://www.capitallogoinc.com/shop/pc/home.asp
Sponsor 7 http://www.rookesails.com/
Sponsor 8 http://www.sailorstailor.com
Sponsor 9 https://www.harken.com/
Sponsor 10 http://www.sailorstailor.com

Lightning Class Supporters