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International
Lightning Class Association
Date: 3/1/2023
Subject: FlashBlast: 8 Bells: Vickie Matthews, US Sailing One Design Survey, Southern Circuit Deadlines &more
From: International Lightning Class Association



FlashBlast - March 1, 2023
masthead

Eight Bells... Vickie Matthews

Sadly, Victoria Dewise Matthews left us all, Friday, February 10.

 

Vickie was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, April 30, 1957... Although music captivated Vickie, the family’s Lightning Class sailboat became an obsession. More than once, Vickie would play organ for the morning service, doff her choir robe wearing a bikini underneath, and bike to the lake to race the Lightning. Her passion for cycling and sailing was to continue throughout her life... Read Vickie's full obituary

 
Vickie Matthews Photo

2022 St Pete Sailing
2023 Southern Circuit 

Winter Championships - March 18-22, 2023 - St Petersburg, FL
34 Boats Registered so far - we are expecting at least 45 - CAN WE MAKE IT TO 50???  
 
SAVE $$ and be sure to complete your paid registration ($275) by end of day March 1. Entries from March 2-17 pay $300. After March 17 registration is $350
 
First Regatta of the Southern Circuit Series. Don't miss out on all the fun and great sailing! Get your TEAM together and SIGN UP TODAY! If you want to sail but don't have a boat, or if you are looking for crew, sign up on the Crew Board
 
Deep South Regatta - March 23-25, 2023 - Savannah, GA
14 Boats Registered so far, expecting 25 or more, don't wait - register today!  Regatta Network Event Page - On-Line Registration, NOR, etc.
Final Regatta of the Southern Circuit. Don't miss the OYSTER ROAST and famous SYC Chicken Wings! We will also have a great Rules Seminar on Thursday evening with Jerry Thompson. If you want to sail but don't have a boat check out the Crew Board
 
 
Recent Updates: Click on this link for More Information
  • Skippers 30 and Under qualify for a Registration Reimbursement from the Limbaugh Fund
  • The Social Schedule Posted  - The Beer Swap is BACK, Dock Party, St Pete Banquet, Racing Rules Seminar, Oyster Roast and More!
  • The Mentor Program is back with both Nick Turney and Greg Fisher Mentor Program - Registration 

US Sailing One Design Survey Image
US Sailing recently conducted a survey of both individual one design sailors and class associations, with the intent of establishing a baseline from which to track growth and activity.   
As members of both the Lightning Class and the One Design Class Committee, Abby Ruhlman and Debbie Probst are proud to repeatedly hear our class is a model for many programs and initiatives. 
 
However, we cannot rest on our laurels—we need to continue to reach out to new and existing sailors in the effort to increase both our membership numbers and enjoyment of our time on the water! 
 
What did we learn from the survey? What can Lightning sailors do on the Fleet and District levels? Read some ideas from Past President Hugh Hutchison.
 
 
 

Notice Of Meetings
 
The next Governing Board Meeting will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 1100 Eastern Time via a Virtual Meeting using the Zoom Platform. District Commodores, Vice Presidents and the Executive Committee have all been sent an invitation link via email. 
 
At this time, no items have been submitted for vote. 
 
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The Annual Winter Meeting of Members will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 1100 Eastern Time via a Virtual Meeting using the Zoom Platform. A meeting invitation will be sent to all members prior to the meeting. 
 
Two items have been submitted for vote at the meeting. One being a proposed dues increase for Active Skipper, Associate and Crew Dues and another regarding the electronics policy as outlined in the Class By-Laws. Both of these proposals are being finalized and will be officially posted and distributed per the Class Constitution. 
 
meeting invite will be sent out to all members prior to the meeting and a proxy ballot will be sent to Fleet Captains at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
 
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If you would like to be added to the agenda or if you have something to share during either meeting, please send a request or short written report to Class Secretary Jeffers  office@lightningclass.org or contact Class President Bill Bogardus at president@lightningclass.org by Monday, March 6th for the Governing Board Meeting or Monday, April 10th for the Annual Winter Meeting.
 
Electronic ballots will be emailed out to respective participants according to the Class Rules.
Please note that Personal and Fleet Dues must be current in order to vote. 
 

2023 World Championship Logo
Information is beginning to be posted on the 2023 World Championships!
 
November 23-27 - Master World and South American Championships
Nov 27 - Dec 3 - World Championship
 
 Check out (and subscribe) to the: World Championship Blog
 
Information on the host venue and Country Allocations have been posted.
April 1, 2023 Countries need to inform the Class Office the number of boats they intend to enter and if they would like to request any additional slots.
 

Copa del Pacifico
Algarrobo, Chile
5-9 April 2023
 
Come and sail at the venue of the 2023 Pan Am Games! 
 
LAST Country Qualifying Event for the 2023 Pan Am Games! 
2 Boats/Countries will qualify at this event. 
 
Teams must sail in the MIXED Configuration - the 3-person crew must be comprised of 1 Male and 2 Females hailing from the same country to qualify. In addition at least 3 Countries need to sail in the Mixed Configuration to qualify the event as a qualifier. To date ARG, BRA, ECU, PER, USA and Host Country CHI have qualified for the Santiago 2023 Panam Games which will be held October 25 – November 5, 2023. The Sailing Events will be held in Algarrobo at the Cofradia Nautica del Pacifico. This is approximately 105 km west of Santiago, Chile.

 
Full 2023 Panam Games Sailing Qualification System


Masters' Championship Survey
We have an active Committee Working on racing at our Masters Events. In their evaluation they have sent out a survey to current Class members who are aged 50 and higher, recent North American Masters participants (both skipper and crew) and expired skipper members from 2020+. 
 
If you are part of this group and have not received the survey link please contact the Class Office. 
 
To date we have received 173 completed surveys. The deadline to complete the survey is March 8th. 

 Hands On Workshop: Re-Canvas A Deck
March 31- April 2, 2023
ONE SPOT STILL OPEN -
Come join use for a hands on workshop where we plan to re-canvas the decks on four classic / wood Lightning Class Sailboats, in the workshops of the Finger Lakes Boating Museum (FLBM) in Hammondsport NY.  Class group size is limited so sign up soon.  More Information and link to Application

 
Action is heating up in South America. Watch for full regatta reports and results to be posted on the Class Website Soon!
 
Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta St Petersburg -  Jody Lutz, Jay Lutz, Christine Moloney
 
Great conditions and tight racing at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta, Team Lutz won the 8 race regatta with 40 points, David Starck and his Team finished 2 points back and Team Diaz finished in third with 47 points. Racing was so close that most races the entire fleet finished within 45-120 seconds apart. 

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 here - be sure to add the event to the ILCA Event Calendar and send in results after the regatta!

Atlantic Coast Championship
The NOR is now posted!
 
Start making your plans and join us July 21-23!
Hampton YC Burgee

Upcoming Regattas: 
Click on the event for more info or 
See Event Calendar for More Events or to add your event!
If you need help listing your 2023 events please contact Laura in the Class Office. 
MAR
18-22
Includes a Master's Winter Championship and first Part of the Southern Circuit.
MAR
18-25
Highlight of the Southern Circuit! You can't beat this deal!
MAR
23-25
Final stop of the 2023 Southern Circuit!
MAR-APR
31-1
Hands On Weekend Workshop - 4 boats will get new canvas decks!
APR
5-9
LAST Lightning Country Qualifier for 2023 Pan Am Games! 2 Spots Left!
APR
22-23
Join the party at the 11th Annual Moonshine Regatta held at the Virginia Inland Sailing Association on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake! On-fire social, intense racing, and a stunning mountain backdrop!
MAY
4-7
Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing.
MAY
20-21
Great season starter hosted by Pymatuning Yacht Club. Cool breezes, warm friendship and hot competition!
MAY
27-28
Fantastic Weekend in Charleston! Possible Clinic on Friday if there is enough interest.
MAY
27-28
Fern Ridge Reservoir near Eugene, Oregon is a big lake with 1.5-mile beats available for racing. This is a multi-Fleet regatta and the food is wonderful!

Major Lightning Events:
MAR
18-22
Includes a Master's Winter Championship and first Part of the Southern Circuit.
MAR
23-25
Final stop of the 2023 Southern Circuit!
APR
5-9
LAST Lightning Country Qualifier for 2023 Pan Am Games! 2 Spots Left!
MAY
4-7
Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing.
JUL
8-9
Lightning Fleet 90 and the Kitsilano Yacht Club are excited to host the 2023 Canadians! Come join us for two days of amazing racing on beautiful English Bay in Vancouver BC.
JUL
21-23
Come early, Lightning Lab scheduled for Friday, make it 3 days of sailing!
AUG
1-4
3 days of sailing on Barnegat Bay! MAKE YOUR PLANS EARLY - the Jersey Shore is a popular summer vacation destination!
AUG
5-11
Back to back with the WJM's in NJ. MAKE PLANS EARLY - the Jersey Shore is a popular summer vacation spot!
OCT-NOV
25-4
8 Countries will sail for the GOLD!
NOV
23-27
Kick off racing in Colombia with these events! Sailing together on the same course, race in one or both events at the same time.
NOV-DEC
27-3
For qualification information check with your Countries Vice President or District Commodore

International Lightning Class Association
Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
(727) 942-7969

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
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Lightning Class Supporters