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International
Lightning Class Association
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Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series | Marblehead, MA

July 23-27, 2026

Last stop of the series — racing Friday-Sunday

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2026 South American Championship | Paracas, Peru

August 3-7, 2026 — Registration open!

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Salinas Sailing Week | Salinas, Ecuador

September 1-5, 2026 — Registration open! 2027 Pan American Games Country Qualifier

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2026 Lightning U32 Invitational | Charleston, SC

October 23-25, 2026 — you don't want to miss this!

Registration open!

Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events

Recently in the Lightning Class

July 14 Hey, Boat Owners....have you completed the boat census? Lightning Sailors, are you registered for the North Americans? Looking for some light reading? Get all the current Lightning news in the recent FlashBlast

July 13
- Annual Meeting Notice - Thursday, Aug 13th at the NAs and via Zoom. One item up for vote: 
2026-2027 Governing Board Proposed Slate of Officers Fleet Captain Proxy Ballot was emailed out to all current Fleets. Meeting link for all members to register for virtual meeting will be emailed out soon.

July 12 - Thanks to all of you who supported the Rock Star Raffles. Jody slightly edged out Dave for the number of tickets sold, we sold 201 tickets, and we raised over $3,000 for Fuel The Flash 2030! The lucky winners are: for Jody – Joe Starck; and for Dave – Abbie Probst. Congrats to the winners, thanks to Dave and Jody for being such good sports, and thanks to all of you for your support!

July 6 Lake Michigan DARES you to show up (to the 2026 North American Championship). Not registered? Get the full run down on the 2026 North American Championship Blog

July 3 -
Lots going on in the Lightning Class! President's blog, upcoming championship events, new fleets, call for bids, Limbaugh fund support and much more! Read it all in the latest Flash Blast

𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒 - full results 

June 9 - Latest FlashBlast Updated Vakaros Race Sense Test Period, Pan Am Country Qualifiers, NAs Registration is LIVE, 8 Bells Tim Grady, Grow Fleets with NEW Local Boat Grant Playbook, Volunteers recognized, NEW Nylon Webbing Belt in Class Store and so much more!

June 5
- 2026 U32 LIGHTNING INVITATIONAL – Registration is LIVE!!!!!! See you in Charleston, South Carolina, October 24-25, 2026. Questions? Email u32@lightningclass.org

View All Results, Reports & Photo Links

 


CREATE BUZZ. BUILD MOMENTUM. SAIL MORE.
Let’s get involved, get sailing, and
GET OUT THERE!

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2026 Lightning Boat Census

Tracking down all Lightning Class boats, where are they?
Working to get more boats on the water! Visit the blog to learn more

About the Lightning


  • Design: Sparkman & Stephens, 1938
  • Over 15000 built
  • More than 500 fleets worldwide
  • Length: 19'0" (5.8m)
  • Beam: 6'6" (2m)
  • Displacement: 700 lb (318 kg
  • Draft (board down): 4'11" (151.3cm)
  • Mast height: 26'2" (7.9m)
  • Sail area (main & jib): 177 sq.ft.
  • (spinnaker): 300 sq.ft.
  • Crew (racing): 3

More...

 
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SAVE THE DATE! The Lightning Class turns 90 in 2028 and you're invited!

90th Anniversary Regatta & Celebration - June 30 - July 2, 2028

Fleet 1 and the Skaneateles Country Club have helped us celebrate many milestones, now it is time to celebrate 90 years of Lightning sailing! Interested in helping with planning or volunteering at the event? Reach out to Mike Yates. 

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