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| | Dr. Robert Karl Smither
Growing up in Buffalo, Bob started sailing Lightnings early on Abino Bay with his father Karl Smither. After sailing in the class for many years he became involved in the class organization. Bob was instrumental in several early changes to the Lightning and the specifications. This included calculating where to put extra lead in boats in such a way that the boats handled the same with or without extra lead weight. The largest change Bob over saw was the transition from the wood mast and the early aluminum rectangular mast to the oval section we use today. This change helped the class flourish and grow by having a robust safe mast. | | | | Before that change the wood masts broke fairly often. Bob went on to serve the class as Chief Measurer for three years and then as Lightning Class President in 1976. He also became an International Measurer and worked on many big events including a number of Pan Am Games and two Olympics. Read the full 8 Bells post |  | President's Message: Enthusiasm and Gearing up for 2025!
PRESS RELEASE
The 2025 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Annapolis was a thrilling debut for the Lightning Class, featuring 16 competitive teams and seven intense races over three days. David Starck, also the Lightning Class president, praised the event: "This was my first time doing the Helly Hansen Regattas in Annapolis and is was first class," Starck says. Starck noted the energy of the Annapolis Lightning Fleet as the main reason for the great first-time turnout for the fleet at the regatta. "The camaraderie amongst all the clubs - Annapolis, Eastport, and Severn Sailing - was incredible," he says. " The race committee on our course was excellent" - @sailingworldmag by @davereedri
The enthusiasm of Fleet 329 is inspiring and as noted above really made a difference in the success of the Lightning debut at the HHSWRS-Annapolis. It is hard work, really hard work! But more people will take notice, buy boats and join the fleet!
This is the type of Fleet and District energy that we need to build and grow the Class.
There are more examples too. The Montreal Fleets are gaining traction with new boat owners and the anticipation of the up coming Canadian Open June 21-22 in Montreal. The Fleet 70 at the Monmouth Boat Club, just brought back the Long John Regatta after a short break and they too are in the planning stages of a major regatta - the Atlantic Coast Championships - July 19-20 at Atlantic Highlands YC in NJ. Long standing regattas and new ones like the HHSWRS - Annapolis are great for our Class.
The Finnish and Greek Districts are preparing for new boat arrivals. The South American Districts have been sailing hard over the past few months. A great representation of our Class will be in Voula, Greece in June for the Worlds. We are making an increased effort to share all of this great work and activity socially to encourage more growth.
The Charleston Fleet recently held a meet the Boat Grant Teams evening gathering. Spreading camaraderie on and off the water is key too.
Whether planning a regatta, a Fleet or District event Schedule, working with a potential new boat owner or new crews - it takes effort, time and passion from a lot of people to help make this all happen.
We have a fabulous membership that is committed to the Class - Thank You!
For those of us in North America with the sailing season just beginning, what can you do to help spark some energy in your Fleet or District?
| Early Bird Pricing ends Saturday, May 10th!
| The LOYALS are sponsoring a new challenge:
G.O.T. Flashes (Get Out There).
You earn recognition for the number of days you sail a Lightning. NOT just skippers or racing – crewing, daysailing, practicing – basically any day you get out there and sail a Lightning counts.
Click on GOT-Flashes Challenge Log to access an easy-to-use log. The LOYALS will track and automatically send recognition stickers when you hit 10 days, 25 days and 50 days. Use it as a fleet builder, and to engage your fellow sailors to GET OUT THERE! Challenge your fleet members, or other fleets, to join you/beat you on the Leader Board, published weekly.
The current leader board is above. We've had a few regattas recently - Long John, No Gas, Indy Open to name a few - be sure you log your days and climb up that leader board!
The program is very simple - full details can be found here. GOT Flashes Program Details We hope you join in the fun! | | 2024 Volunteer of the Year - Robert Astrove
This LOYALS award recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to the class, and this is the first year it is being awarded.
For many years, Bob has been instrumental in helping to build community within the Lightning Class. He created and maintained, prodded and nurtured, the Classic Boat chat group and in person gatherings too. The Classic Boat Get Together each June at Keuka Lake and more recently the Classic Boat Workshop.
When the LOYALS formed in 2024, Bob quickly became a part of the core group, raising his hand to provide ideas, to plan and to act. He has helped create the volunteer survey, called fleet captains and district commodores, researched the website Forum capability and created the first forum for fleet and district leaders and so much more! Read the Full Award Announcement
Congratulations to Bob Astrove!” | | | | 2025 Women's, Junior and Masters'
North American Championships
Larchmont Yacht Club
Larchmont, NY
August 8-11, 2025
| | | The Lightning has a right history at Larchmont YC and on Long Island sound - below is a great video of Race Week in 1949 - a great Lightning start 1 min 30 seconds into the video. Video of Race Week 1949
Our history and heritage committee is hard at work pulling together some great images of the impact the lightning has had on our club. We have a very active regatta schedule this summer hosting many exciting events. But none are more important to the history and heritage of LYC than the Lightning Women, Juniors and Masters NAs.
There is a list of local hotel accommodations in the NOR, and we will attempt to find housing for competitors if possible (but will be limited) - but will guarantee housing for all Junior competitors.
Also - the first registered boat in each division will be given VIP trailer parking spots closest to the hoists.
There will be plenty of great food, music and fun on and off the water. We will have a big regatta dinner, a poolside BBQ one night.
There is so much to do locally as well - we are only 15 miles from Manhattan, Rye Playland is a local amusement park like Crystal Beach was at BCC with tons of rides, the Yankees have a four game homestand that weekend vs. the Astros (look for a possible bus trip to the Yankees game...) So much to do!
So don't hesitate - Register today via ClubSpot
There is high interest in Charter Boats for the event as well - lots of local interest! If you have a boat to charter please contact Ned Roseberry: nedroseberry@gmail.com
www.larthmontyc.org |
2025 World Championships - Voula, Greece
Current Country Confirmations:
AUS, CAN, CHI, COL, ECU, FIN, GRE, USA
June 12-16 - World Masters and European Championships
June 16-21 - World Championship
Containers from the USA (Buffalo and New Jersey) are at sea! Sailors in COL, ECU, CHI, GRE, BRA and the USA are have all been sailing this month. Who is WORLDS READY?? The final countdown has begun! | CALL FOR BIDS
2026 Women’s, Junior & Masters North American Championships
2026 North American Championships
Championship AREA/REGION HOST: Midwest / Northeast USA
Deadline for bids: September 1, 2025. Winning bid will be announced during the 2025 ILCA North American Championships at the Carolina Yacht Club, September 23 - 27, 2025
Questions? Contact Joe Starck, VP of NA's
The 2026 NA's will be the US Qualifier for the 2027 World Championship that will be held at a North American Venue.
Full Details: 2026 NAs - Call for Bids | CALL FOR BIDS
2027 World and Master World Championships
AREA/REGION HOST: North America
Deadline for bids: December 1, 2025. Questions, Contact Josh Goldman, VP of Worlds.
Full Details: 2027 Worlds - Call for Bids |
World Sailing Development Seminars - Open to All
World Sailing is pleased to invite you to the 2025 Development Webinar Series. These sessions aim to inspire, share best practices, and present proven approaches from successful programs. The webinars are free to attend and open to all.
The first three sessions will feature guest speakers from established programs, sharing insights from program management, center operations, and the sailors themselves. We encourage you to attend and share the opportunity within your networks.
Please find the details and registration links below. Times are listed in both in UK (BST), UTC and EDT.
1. CANSail – Sail Canada Program
Wednesday 14 May 2025 – 19:00 (UK) / 18:00 (UTC) / 14:00 (EDT)
Explore Sail Canada’s nationally recognized learn-to-sail curriculum with CEO Ryan Kelly.
Register Here
2. Steering the Course – Hebe Haven Yacht Club & Sailability Hong Kong
Wednesday 28 May 2025 – 10:00 (UK) / 09:00 (UTC) / 05:00 (EDT) - yes 5am Eastern
Learn from five years of empowering women in sailing through the Steering the Course initiative.
Register Here
3. OutThere Sailing – Australian Sailing Program
Wednesday 11 June 2025 – 10:00 (UK) / 09:00 (UTC) / 05:00 (EDT) - yes 5am Eastern
Discover how to engage 12–17-year-olds through inclusive, fun water activities.
Register Here
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Indy Open - Brad Wagnon, Dylan Sarber, Dave Corcoran
Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Annapolis - David Starck, Jody Lutz, Jenna Probst
Francisco Sola Cup - Jonathan Martinetti, Moira Padilla, Alison Haon
Long John Regatta - Ched Proctor, Sam Blouin, Meredith Killion
Brazilian National Championship - Jose Hackerott, Maria Hackerott, Heloise Glidemeister
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! | Upcoming Regattas through June:
Click on the event for more info or
If you need help listing your 2025 events please contact Laura in the Class Office. |
Monthly racing in Tomine!
Enjoy cool breezes, warm friendships and hot competition at our 40th annual Spring Classic regatta.
Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing - great practice for the NAs in September!
2 Days of racing over Memorial Day weekend on the Potomac River in Washington D.C. This is a longtime annual multi-classw event put on by the Potomac River Sailing Association. As more information is available it will be posted on the PRSA website (see link below)
All are welcome, come and experience NOLA Hospitality!
Sail on the Potomac River, just north of Quantico and about 15 miles south of Washington DC.
Great facilities, Great wind, Great race committee, Great turnout, and lots of fun! Entry Fee is $120 (Free for all Junior Skippers and ½ price for all U32 Skippers!!) NEW for this year will be an after racing “Dock Talk” so we can learn from the leaders!
All are welcome! Come and sail in Green Bay!
Leatherlips Yacht Club, O'Shaughnessy Reservoir, Powell, Ohio
All are invited to this 2nd Annual event! We had 18 boats in the first year - come join the FUN!
Come sail in Maine! Join us for this one day event!
Come sail in historic Charleston!
All are invited to Cazenovia, NY!
A two day “Open” regatta again for 2025. We will have an Open fleet for modern boats as well as a Classic fleet (shorter windward mark for Classics). All are welcome! with a boat or without, we will help find you a boat to sail with.
Lightning sailing in Montreal!
All are welcome to Niantic! Don't miss out on some great sailing!
All are welcome to join us at Surf City YC on Long Beach Island for the combined Central Atlantic District and Metropolitan District Championship. The NOR and other information will soon be available on the SCYC's Clubspot page for this event.
| | Major Championship Regattas |
Lightning sailing in Montreal!
Atlantic Highlands YC and Monmouth Boat Club in NJ invite you to come and sail on Sandy Hook Bay!
Lightnings are heading back to Larchmont Yacht Club on Long Island Sound!
September dates - Wrightsville Beach offers fantastic ocean racing.
| International Lightning Class Association
Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
(727) 942-7969 | |