𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬.

Lightning sailors, the Southern Circuit is your winter escape! 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐤.

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

St. Petersburg, FL

March 14–18, 2026
2026 Winter Championships

𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮

Savannah, GA

March 19–21, 2026
Deep South Regatta - 3/19/2026

Come early and sail in February! (not part of the Southern Circuit):

𝗛𝗛𝗦𝗪𝗥𝗦 & 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

St. Petersburg, FL

February 13–15, 2026
Midwinter Championship - Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta

Plans can be arranged to leave your boat in St Pete area between February HHSWRS/Midwinter Championship and March Southern Circuit St Pete regattas. Contact Laura Jeffers for more details. These logistics ARE DIFFERENT from years past so pre-planning is necessary! Email the Class Office to make your inquiry.

Southern Circuit Blog

Recently in Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Lightning Class: Strategic Innovation!

The Lightning Class celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2038, remaining strong through innovation while staying true to our one design roots. To build that strength and attract new sailors, we’ve embarked on a strategic five-year plan – Fuel The Flash 2030. There’s something to interest every Lightning sailor, whether past or current!

The Lightning Class created and continues to enthusiastically support the Boat Grant Program, providing new boats, sails, and expenses to revolving teams of young sailors. We are expanding local Boat Programs by creating a how-to playbook and providing funding for new programs. We’ve created a market-maker Pipeline Program to match existing boats with prospective members, including grants/funding as appropriate. And we’re engaging in market research to enhance our messaging, our boats, and our events.

The Lightning Class U32 (Under 32) program includes reduced registration fees and U32-only regattas where boats, housing, and even crews are provided. A third or more of our sailors at typical regattas are U32.

A healthy Class needs a reliable availability of new boats, and we have a team of professionals creating new molds/plugs to promote efficient production for our builder.

While we’re working on our future, we’re not forgetting our past. One of many exciting developments is our partnering with the Finger Lakes Boating Museum to create a Lightning Hall of Fame.

How will we fund all this? With our fundraising campaign Fuel The Flash 2030—every spark counts. Want to help us thrive, innovate and grow? Donate Now.

Recently in the Lightning Class

January 19 - Past President & Past Chief Measurer David Sprague will be joining the Executive Committee as interim Chief Measurer. Joe Buczkowski is taking a leave of absence from the Executive Committee to care for his family.

January 17 - A new Member Spotlight has been posted remembering David Peterson, a stalwart of the Class, and in whose honor his daughter Sandra has made a significant contribution to the Boat Grant Program.

December 27 - Florida Sailing! Mid-Winter Championship and Southern Circuit Information. Mentor Program, Karl Smither Award Nominations, NORs, On-line Registrations, and more! Southern Circuit Blog

December 18 - Check out Bill Cabrall’s latest (and probably last for this year!) G.O.T.-Flashes blog – Final Numbers & Notes

November 16 - In the News Vakaros Testing Survey Results, NAs Post Race Recap Video Link Town Hall Meeting, Monday, Nov 17, 7:30pm Eastern. Registration link has been emailed to members. Contact the Class Office if you would like to attend and have not received the link.

November 16 - Check out the Member spotlight on Ian & Lindy Edwards, recently awarded Life Membership and their donation of eight Lightnings to the Class!

November 16 - All 79 years and 667 issues of Flashes are now searchable! Read how a group of three LOYALS achieved this feat using AI and elbow grease, and how it might be useful to you! Searchable Flashes

November 6 - Partnership with Finger Lakes Boating Museum expands - New Lightning Hall of Fame Announced!

October 31 - Jody Lutz elected to Executive Committee: Meet Jody

October 29 - Read the latest update on G.O.T. Flashes Challenge- newest awards and improvements to the 2026 program!

October 22 - Read 2025 Lightning North Americans Recap on Sail1Design by Heather Kerns, 2025 Boat Grant Recipient!

October 19 - Winner winner, oysters for dinner! Starck ’n Dormy (Brady, Tom, and Carly Starck) win the 2025 Wild Oyster at Carolina Yacht Club - SC, winning 5/6 races. Sundog (Clint, Christian, and June Neuman) took second place with 12 points. Jenna Probst, Adam Probst, and Izzy Stack finished third with 18 points. It’s always a pleasure sailing in Charleston in the fall! Stay tuned for this years report!

October 15 - Have you read the recent email on our Fuel The Flash 2030 fundraiser? We outline the program, its goals and a Call To Action for all. There’s something for everyone – check it out!

October 13 - 2025 BOAT GRANT RECIPIENTS WIN THE 2ND ANNUAL U32 INVITATIONAL! Congratulations to Will Murray, Heather Kerns, and Lucas Goodin, winners of the 2025 U32 Regatta with an impressive 5 points, taking three out of four races. In second place, Timmy Crann, sailing with Lauren and Allie Jones, finished with 17 points. Jenna Probst, Elizabeth Starck, and Paula Herman secured third place with 21 points. It was a fantastic turnout and a day of highly competitive racing at this year’s event in Metedeconk!

View All Results, Reports & Photo Links

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In 2024, it was a brand-new initiative. In 2025, it officially became a highly-anticipated tradition.

The International Lightning Class Association held the second annual U32 Invitational Regatta for 75 competitors at Metedeconk River Yacht Club on October 11-12. Sailors between the ages of 21-32 descended on the New Jersey Shore for a fall exhibition that proved to be fun on and off the water.

After Friday’s welcome night, racing commenced on Saturday, providing short-course sailing on the Metedeconk River that reminded many competitors of their days in college. A benefit of the Lightning is that sailors can enjoy that quick-hitting style of racing or mile-long courses in the ocean (see September's NAs in Wrightsville Beach) depending on location and regatta.

This regatta proved to be a great promotion for the Lightning Class’ Boat Grant Program, as 2025 recipient Will Murray and his team of Heather Kerns and Lucas Goodin dominated the field. Team Murray won three of four races en route to becoming the second-ever U32 champion. A Hobart-William Smith alumnus, Murray skippered his grant boat throughout the 2025 season, including a top-15 finish at the North Americans.

“The U32 Regatta was a perfect example of what makes the Lightning class so special — intense, tactical racing mixed with an incredibly fun and welcoming atmosphere,” Murray said. “The program is such an important opportunity for younger sailors to get involved, build connections, and see what makes this fleet so special. Sailing the grant boat has given me the chance to experience this community firsthand, and it’s easy to see why so many people stay in the class for life.”

Read the full report here