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International
Lightning Class Association
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The International Lightning Class and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum invite you to recognize the 2026 Inaugural Hall of Fame recipients and the dedication of the physical Hall of Fame exhibition on November 7, 2026, at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, Hammondsport, New York.

 

All Lightning sailors or enthusiasts, past and present, are invited. Come to enjoy the induction ceremony, mingling and light refreshments, museum tours, and connect with fellow Lightning and Finger Lakes Boating Museum enthusiasts. Please RSVP here by October 23rd, 2026.

The museum tours are optional and will be guided by museum staff and volunteers in small groups. Please RSVP for your preferred time so we can ensure we have enough tour leaders. If you haven't visited FLBM yet you are in for a real treat! Don't miss out on a guided tour! Visit flbm.org to get a sneak peek.


The official induction ceremony honoring seven people and organizations central to the development of the Lightning Class took place in August at the North American Championship in Sheboygan, WI.  In addition, we will be opening a special exhibition for Lightnings to the public at the November 7 ceremony.  Our intention is to create an ever-evolving, educational display, and the initial collection will include numerous items of Lightning memorabilia, including the original mold used by the Skaneateles Boat Company.


We urge you to explore the Hall of Fame page on the Lightning Class Website and learn more about this special effort. We are excited to be opening the live museum display on November 7 and hope to see many of you there. Nominations for the 2027 Hall of Fame are OPEN!

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Inaugural Class of 2026, Public Announcement:
Lightning North American Championship
August 14, 2026 – Sheboygan, WI


Nominations for the 2027 Lightning Class Hall of Fame are now being accepted! You can learn more about the nomination process & submit a nomination here. Nominations can be for an individual or a group of individuals (such as a fleet), a company, a Yacht Club or other entity.

Nominations may be submitted at any time. However, only those received prior to January 4, 2027 will be combined with unselected nominations from each of the two prior years and considered for 2027 selection.

2027 Hall of Fame Nomination Form

The International Lightning Class Association teamed up with the Finger Lakes Boating Museum to build the Lightning Class Hall of Fame. Sailors, boat builders, sail makers, and the people who've shaped this class over nearly 90 years are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

The first Lightning was built in Skaneateles, NY back in 1938, right in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Now, over 15,500 boats later, that same region is about to become the home of the Lightning Class's story.

Read the full article to see how this partnership came together and what's next for the exhibit expansion.


 Visit Finger Lakes Boating Museum Website

Partnership Between the International Lightning
Class and Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Please join us in welcoming the inaugural class of the Lightning Hall of Fame!

The mission of the International Lightning Class Association Hall of Fame is to highlight and celebrate the Lightning Sailboat and recognize the sailors, boat builders, sail makers and individuals or organizations who have been instrumental in supporting and strengthening the Lightning Class since 1938.

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

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The Hall of Fame is a collaborative project of the International Lightning Class Association and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum.

The Association will on an annual basis select one or more individuals or groups for induction. The Hall of Fame will have both a virtual presence on the Lightning Class website and a physical display including a boat and memorabilia at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum
in Hammondsport, NY.

This year a second ceremony will be held, November 7 2026 – 2 PM to dedicate this space at the museum.

2027 Nominations are open, click here, or simply send an email with your nomination to office@lightningclass.org.

Hall of Fame Steering Committee

  • John Rudd (FLBM Board)
  • Meredith Killion (ILCA Ex Comm)
  • Ed Wightman (FLBM Founder)
  • Roger Slade (CNY Commodore)
  • Nicole Katsur (FLBM Programs)
  • Laura Jeffers (ILCA Ex Secy)
  • Bob Astrove (ILCA Classic Boats)

Process Workgroup

  • Bertie Werley
  • Dave Sprague
  • Jim Force
  • Bob Astrove

Hall of Fame Selection Committee

  • John Rudd (Chair)
  • Larry MacDonald
  • Bob Wardwell
  • Jan Davis
  • Paco Sola


Support from Corky Gray, ILCA Historian