International Lightning Class Association
2013 Boat Grant Program
Call For Applications
Press Release: November 30, 20122013 Boat Grant Program
Call For Applications
TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - November 30, 2012 - The International Lightning Class Association is now accepting applications for the 2013 ILCA Boat Grant Program. The program, entering its seventh season, offers a few select teams the opportunity to sail a race-ready boat in one of the strongest one-design classes in North America.
Each team will be provided with a championship ready Lightning, competitive sails and equipment, a mentor, and funds to cover some of the sailing expenses for the 2013 summer racing season. This is a unique opportunity for sailors over the age of 19 to experience Lightning sailing at its best. The Lightning, a 19-foot trailerable sloop, has been attracting some of the best and brightest sailors over the past 75 years. The Boat Grant program is designed to open the door to the next generation of sailors.
"This is a good direction to go after college sailing" explains 2012 recipient Jamie Simmons. "It was a great experience, the racing was exciting and everyone is easy going and super friendly. I look forward to sailing more Lightning regattas." Other Boat Grant alumni include Bobby Martin '07, Clinton Hayes '08 and Caroline Patten '11.
"This is a good direction to go after college sailing" explains 2012 recipient Jamie Simmons. "It was a great experience, the racing was exciting and everyone is easy going and super friendly. I look forward to sailing more Lightning regattas." Other Boat Grant alumni include Bobby Martin '07, Clinton Hayes '08 and Caroline Patten '11.
2012 Grant recipients, Team Simmons - Bow 36, racing in the 44 boat fleet at the Atlantic Coast Championship.
Photo: Arthur E. Petrosemolo
Photo: Arthur E. Petrosemolo
Committee co-chair and Boat Grant alumni (2008) Will Brown states "It's true that the Lightning class has a deep field of competitors. I mean -- forty plus boats on the line at a dozen regattas each summer? That's pretty amazing. And with this much talent, your team absolutely gets better at each regatta." The Class's strong International presence also assures the Boat Grant teams a chance to compete against athletes from around the world.
"The mentor aspect of the program is really one of the key elements to the success of young sailors who receive the grant" says co-founder Bill Fastiggi. "We've had a very talented pool of Lightning sailors who volunteer their time to help the grant recipients get up to speed in the boats and also help them learn how to organize their own sailing program."
Applications and proposals are due on December 31. Each applicant is required to provide sailing resumes, three references with letters of recommendation and include a cover letter explaining why they are the best candidates for the grant. Complete details on how to apply for this grant is found on the ILCA website:
Boat Grant
For specific questions or more information about the ILCA grant - contact the ILCA office, or co chairs William Brown and Justin Coplan.
Laura Jeffers, ILCA Executive Secretary - office@lightningclass.org or 727-942-7969
William Brown, Boat Grant Alum '08 - wgbrowniv@gmail.com or 201-264-7251
Justin Coplan, Boat Grant Alum '08 - jocoplan@gmail.com
About the International Lightning Class Association
The Lightning was designed by Olin Stephens in 1938. Today there have been over 15500 built. The rig is simple, but offers sophisticated sail shape controls for a crew of three. The hull features a unique hard chine design that combines the stability that provides sail-carrying power, with flat bottom sections that promote planing. It is fast enough to be exciting, slow enough to be very tactical and the boat is very physical to sail in a breeze. In the event of a capsize, she can be righted and sailed dry by her crew. Optimum crew weight is 450 to 500 lbs. The boat weighs 700 pounds and sitting on the trailer with covers, sails and gear the all up weight is about 1100 lbs so it can be safely towed with almost any vehicle.
Many top sailors spent a lot of time racing Lightnings: Betsy Alison, Andy Horton, Jay and Jody Lutz, Greg and Matt Fisher, Tim Healy, Jeff Linton, Cory Sertl, Ken and Brad Read, Jody Swanson Starck, Dave Dellenbaugh, Terry Hutchinson and Ted Turner to name a few. For more information, visit the ILCA website