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International
Lightning Class Association
Date: 3/29/2023
Subject: FlashBlast: Winter Meeting, Two Amendments; Southern Circuit Wrap Up and Upcoming Deadlines
From: International Lightning Class Association



FlashBlast - March 29, 2023
masthead
US Pan Am Trials - May 4-7, 2023
A $100 LATE Fee kicks in after April 1st! If you are planning to sail, COMPLETE your registration ASAP! Registration closes April 13th. Clubspot - Regatta NOR, On-line Registration, Etc.  
 
Fresh off of hosting the 2022 World Championships the Carolina Yacht Club and Fleet 511 is eager to welcome US Lightning Teams competing to represent the US in the 2023 Pan American Games.

2023 World Championship Logo
DEADLINE  - 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. Country VP's please email the Class Office office@lightningclass.org 
 
 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.
Are you interested in sailing in the Master Worlds and/or the South American Championship?
 
We have younger Teams that are looking to team up with another skipper or boat to help offset shipping costs from the US to COL or perhaps even from another country to COL. Please contact the Class Office if you are interested in sailing in COL and need a boat for the Master Worlds/South Americans or you have a boat and want to split shipping costs with a Worlds Team.  

Copa del Pacifico
Algarrobo, Chile
5-9 April 2023
 
Come and sail at the venue of the 2023 Pan Am Games! So far we are expecting CHI, PER and VEN to attend.
 
If you are planning to sail in the regatta please register as soon as possible! 
 
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


 Hands On Workshop: Re-Canvas A Deck
March 31- April 2, 2023
THIS WEEKEND - Watch Social Media for updates and photos!
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.   More Information

Notice Of Meeting
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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. Please use this link to Register for the Meeting:  April 15, 2023 Winter Meeting Zoom Registration Link 
 
 Two By-Law Amendments are up for vote. Please review the following links:
 
2.Electronic Policy Change Proposal  See the update from Chief Measurer Buczkowski below
 
proxy/electronic ballot has been sent to all Fleet Captains. If you are a Fleet Captain and have not received the email proxy ballot to vote, please contact Laura Jeffers in the Lightning Class Office office@lightningclass.org 
 
Please note that Personal and Fleet Dues must be current in order to vote. 
 
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If you would like to be added to the agenda or if you have something to share during the 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, April 10th for the Annual Winter Meeting.
 
 

Electronics Update From the Chief Measurer... Joe Buczkowski

 

...The ability to share stories and keep everyone up to speed on events around the country has grown in recent years and our class has been on the forefront of utilizing social media to get our stories out to everyone.

 

With that objective, over the past few months a group of class sailors, ranging in experience and age, came together to look at our current electronic policy and update it for the new age of electronics. I was honored to have Doug Wake, Dave Sprague, Bill Cabrall, Clarke Newman and Ryan Ruhlman on the team. Our goal was to update the policy to better reflect modern technologies and practices already taking place on the water.

 

After a comprehensive review of the current policy, comparing to what is available, what is actually happening in the class and what other one design classes are doing, I believe that the proposed change to the by-laws is a good balance of tradition, maintaining our core values and integrating electronics that makes sense... Read the full update


2023 Fleet Dues
 
Thank you to the Fleets that are current for 2023. A listing of paid Fleets can be found here: Current Listing of Paid Fleets.
 
We are still having quite a few Fleets responding to the Dues Notice. In the next FlashBlast a listing of delinquent Fleets will be posted. Check to see if your Fleet is current, if it is not, contact the Class Office to pay the dues. office@lightningclass.org  or 727-942-7969  

Dock Party Photo
2023 Southern Circuit  - Wrap Up
The junior team of Bobby Starck, brother Adam Starck, and Buck Rathbun navigated the tricky currents and tight boat traffic on the Wilmington and Skidaway Rivers to take home the 2023 Deep South Regatta in Savannah, Georgia Deep South Results. David Starck with crew Jenna Probst and Debbie Probst finished a point back in second place, which also secured the overall 2023 Southern Circuit Championship for his team on PatStrong. Full results of the Southern Circuit Results
 
Ched Proctor with crew Eric Oetgen and Laura Goldberg took home third place and finished second overall in the Southern Circuit. Under-30 skipper Tanner Probst with crew Abbie Probst and Dominique Wright lost the tiebreaker to Proctor and finished third overall in the Southern Circuit. 
 
The Lightning Class has always worked to remove barriers to allow juniors and under-30 competitors to compete in our event. Specifically, the Helen and Jay Limbaugh fund was established to support the education, training and promotion of junior sailoring in the Class. For the 2023 Southern Circuit, the Limbaugh Fund reimbursed 50% of the entry fees of any under-30 skipper.
 
That saved competitors like Bobby and Tanner, and 6 other under-30 skippers, almost $300 each over the past week. Thank you for your support of the Limbaugh Fund and the Lightning Boat Grant program.
 
The Southern Circuit is like a big family reunion - sometimes there is a little friction. Luckily, the class has an amazing Class member and boat builder in Tom Allen to help smooth these situations over (sometimes late into the night). That’s family. 
Tom Allen at work!
Deep South Champs
Jody Starck with crew Tom Starck and Elizabeth Starck (USA) bested 41 boats in breezy and shifty conditions on Tampa Bay to claim the 2023 Lightning Winter Championship in St. Petersburg, FL. 

Newly minted Helly Hansen Champion Jody Lutz with crew Jay Lutz and Chris Schon (USA) took second and were the top Masters competitor. Master Winter Championship Results  Current South American Champion Felipe Robles with crew Paula Herman and Carmina Malsch (CHI) took third, current World Champion David Starck with crew Debbie Probst and Jenna Probst (USA) took 4th, and the 2019 Pan Am Lightning Gold Medalist Javier Conte with crew Martina Silva and Trinidad Silva (ARG) finished 5th. Winter Championship Results
 
With the 2023 Pan Am Games in Chile only seven months away, seven of the top ten boats sailed in the Pan Am configuration of 2 female and 1 male crew. This resulted in the top 10 having an even split of 15 men and 15 women.
 
One of the unique features of the Southern Circuit is the Mentor Program. The program, subsidized by the Lightning Lab Program and ILCA Fund, includes set-up and tuning assistance, morning briefing with professional weather forecasts, on the water coaching, and a post-race debrief. In addition, competitors are matched up with top teams to do speed lineups before the races and to review the conditions. This year Greg Fisher from Evolution Sails, and Nick Turney from North Sails led the program. For his efforts on the Mentor Program and his leadership on the Lightning Boat Grant Program, Greg Fisher was awarded the George V. Fisher Sportsmanship Award.
 
Gustavo Tamayo was presented the Karl Smither Award for his Corinthian spirit, mentorship and Lightning Class enthusiasm. Reese Levinson was awarded the Davis Youth Award for being the youngest competitor at age 17. Bobby Starck won the Humphrey Newcomers Award for the highest placing first time skipper. Steve Davis was awarded the Jack Mueller Trophy for being the highest finishing Corinthian Grand Master for the Southern Circuit. 
 
This year we had 7 first time Southern Circuit Skippers sailing. It's not too early to start making plans for 2024, we hope to see you in St. Pete and Miami next year.   
Fleet 50!
Youngest Sailor
Team Allen
Team Sundog

 
Action is heating up in South America. Watch for full regatta reports and results to be posted on the Class Website Soon!
 
Southern Circuit -  David Starck, Debbie Probst, Jenna Probst
Deep South Regatta -  Bobby Starck, Adam Starck, Buck Rathbun
Winter Masters Championship -  Jody Lutz, Jay Lutz, Schon
Winter Championship -  Jody Starck, Tom Starck, Elizabeth Starck

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-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!
APR
29-30
MAY
4-7
Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing.
MAY
6-7
Start the season with beautiful inland lake sailing.
MAY
13-14
2 Days of Racing on a beautiful, miles wide section of the Potomac River. Just north of Quantico, VA, about 20 miles south of Washington DC.
MAY
20-21
Great season starter hosted by Pymatuning Yacht Club. Cool breezes, warm friendship and hot competition!
MAY
20-21
Two day invitational regatta on the Chesapeake Bay
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!
MAY
27-28
A multi-class event in which Lightnings have participated for over 50 years. Additional Information will follow

Major Lightning Events:

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
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Lightning Class Supporters