2026 Southern Circuit Notice of Series Not sure what to expect... Sunshine, sailing and seeing your Lightning Family! What more do you need to know?!
Winter Championship and Masters' Winter Championship - March 14-18, 2026 - St Petersburg, FL
Get all the details you need Winter Championship Yachtscoring Page: NOR, On-line registration, crew lists, etc. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
First Regatta of the Southern Circuit Series. 4 Days of Racing - 10 Races Scheduled! Don't miss out on all the fun and great sailing! Welcome party Sunday evening, The Annual "Dock" Party will be held at a different location on Monday March 18th watch for more information as we get closer to the event! Banquet on Tuesday evening.
The Mentor Program is back again in St Pete and Nick Turney will be leading the group! This is a special program designed to help you and your team. Morning talks, on the water mentoring, after racing debriefs in both group settings and one-on-one settings. You must sign up for this program.
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 use the Yachtscoring link above to post a notice or send an email to southerncircuit@lightningclass.org
Masters Qualification - Skipper age 55+ and total combined crew ages equal 130+ (as of Dec 31, 2026).
Karl Smither Trophy - Awarded in St Pete recognizing the contributions of a Corinthian sailor, class mentor and Lightning enthusiast. Nominations can be submitted to the Class Office.
Colin Park Trophy - Awarded to the highest placing husband and wife team.
Deep South Regatta - March 19-21, 2026 - Savannah, GA
Registration is OPEN! Regatta Network: NOR, On-Line Registration, Crew Lists, etc.
Final Regatta of the Southern Circuit. Don't miss the OYSTER ROAST and famous SYC Chicken Wings! Up to 6 Races Scheduled. Limited Camping available on site. If you want to sail but don't have a boat check out the crew board via the Regatta Network link above or email southerncircuit@lightningclass.org
Southern Circuit Awards:
Trophies for top 5 overall Southern Circuit Teams.
Mid-Fleet Awards at both events
Humphrey New Comer Award - Highest Placing 1st time skipper
Davis Youth Award
Jack Mueller Trophy - Awarded to the top Great Grandmaster (65+)
Dr Georges Peter Trophy - Awarded to the top Great, Great Grandmaster (75+)
George V. Fisher Sportsmanship Award - Awarded by Fisher Family and nominations accepted by competitors during the events.
Come EARLY and sail in February - Now the Mid-Winter Championship!
Sailing World Helly Hansen Regatta - February 13-15, 2026 - St Petersburg, FL
Registration is OPEN! HHSWRS Yachtscoring Page: NOR, On-LIne Registration, crew lists, etc.
Be sure to complete your registration (including payment) by January 15th. New and incomplete entries after January 15 will increase by $80, this includes unpaid entries. 12 boats are already registered, we are expecting 25+ boats! SIGN UP Today! This regatta is now the Mid-Winter Championship!
Plans can be arranged to leave your boat in St Pete between the Feb and March Regattas. Contact Laura in the Class Office to make your reservation, boat storage cost is $175 cash or zelle to the ILCA. Drop off or Drop and Go options available.