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Single advertisements are available for each Flash Blast. For more information or to reserve your spot please contact Laura in the Class Office or at 727-942-7969.
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|  | The May 1 issue of Scuttlebutt Sailing News featured an advertisement promoting the Lightning Class to potential new members. Over the next 15 months leading up to the 2027 Pan American Games there will be a lot of really good racing happening in the Class. This is a terrific time to encourage new people to try the Lightning. A special landing page https://www.lightningclass.org/intlightning has been created with a direct message to potential new members. Please take a look at the page and help us spread this message.
To retain our position as an International World Class One-Design Class growth with new members essential. To help with this growth, we need boat turnover - and boats at different price points are needed. Consider upgrading your boat. Two brand new Allen Boats are available now! See below for more details. If a new boat is not in your budget there is a great selection available in the Boats For Sale (Classified Section) on the Website. | David Starck - What Keeps the President Up At Night?
There are a few things on my mind these days “Lightning Class related” that are keeping me up at night. Ok, well, truth is, I’ve been sleeping just fine with so much support from the LOYALS, the Executive Committee, Governing Board members, Laura, and countless other volunteers. However, I would like to share 3 topics where I could use your help:
1. Calling on ALL North American Sailors... Help foster a Junior Team from your local fleet or District to compete at the 2026 Junior NAs in Milwaukee, WI August 6-9. It means being sure they have a boat, sails, transportation, a chaperone/coach/parent. It takes hard work and dedication on your part. Please help make it happen. You will be helping ensure the future of the class and your fleet/district. Every sailor counts. 1 team, 3 sailors. Help make it happen. More Information on Junior North American Championships - 8/5/2026
2. New boats & used boats: We need more of you to buy new/newer boats. There are several very nice boats for sale right now. And there are brand new boats for sale. Boat upgrade and turnover helps to promote younger and new entry boat owners into the Class. Please contact Mark Schneider, Laura Jeffers, or me today. Or call Tom Allen Jr/ Allen Boat Co and place a new boat order!!! It is critical we get more boats out sailing here is North America and throughout the class footprint in South American and Europe. Boats For Sale
3. Please support Local, Regional, National regattas: For the past several years as class president, I have tried to lead by example and participate in as many regattas as time allows. Every entry counts at these events. Again, this takes effort on your part. If you cannot participate but want to help, consider lending or chartering your boat to a fleet member. Event Calendar
I hope to see you on the water soon!
| | Vakaros Racesense News
- Atlas 2 Survey Results
- Invite to Vakaros Atlas Deep Dive Webinar
- Lightning Town Hall Meeting
- Vakaros Use at NAs - EC Action
| | | | Vakaros Test Survey Results: '26 Winter Championship
The '26 Winter Championship was a third test of the Vakaros Racesense Technology using the Atlas 2 unit and its full features including Distance To Line (DTL) display.
| | Webinar: Vakaros Atlas Deep Dive
Monday, May 11 - 2 different times
7p BST (2pm Eastern)
7p CST (6pm Eastern)
Join in on a live deep dive into the Vakaros Atlas — from profile setup to better DTL starts, plus tips and tricks from the experts at Vakaros. Note this webinar is open to the public and will be administered by those at Vakaros. This is NOT a Lightning only event. Anyone is invited to register and attend if you own a unit or not. This is a great opportunity to submit/ask questions about the Atlas units.
| | | | Lightning Vakaros Town Hall
Please join us Thursday, May 14 at 7pm Eastern for a virtual Town Hall Meeting to discuss recent Lightning test events using the Vakaros RaceSense system and both the Edge and Atlas 2 units. Please help make the meeting efficient, present questions in advance! Questions can be submitted when you register for the meeting or you can email Executive Committee Member Jody Lutz executivecommittee@lightningclass.org
| | Executive Committee Action - April 22, 2026
The EC passed an action to allow for the use of Vakaros RaceSense and amended Fleet Configuration (all competitors sailing in 1 fleet and no qualifying series) for the 2026 North American Championship.
| | | Meeting Notice:
The Annual Meeting of Members will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 0800 Central Time at the Sheboygan Yacht Club. In addition to in person at the NAs, pending local technology it is our intent to also hold this meeting virtually on Zoom for those not able to be present. A Virtual Meeting invitation link will be emailed to members prior to the meeting.
At this time at least 1 item will be presented for vote: the 2026-2027 Proposed Slate of Officers that will be presented by the Nominating Committee. This item and any others will be posted and emailed to members per the Constitution.
| Call For Bids - 2027 North American Championships
Bid deadline is August 1, 2026 with announcement of 2027 Host at the 2026 NAs in Sheboygan.
NA's venue conducive to terrific sailing as well as on shore activities ideally between September and November 2027. See Full Details in 2027 NAs Call For Bids
Women's, Junior and Masters NA's venueconducive to terrific sailing as well as on shore activities during the Summer of 2027, preferably in the beginning of August. See Full Details in the 2027 WJM NAs Call For Bids
| | From The Desk of The Class Historian...
Ted Turner passed away May 6, 2026 at the age of 87. We have lost one of our greats. Ted Turner was one of five Lightning Class sailors to win the Americas Cup. He began his sailboat racing career in Savannah Georgia sailing with Fleet 127, Savannah Yacht Club. Under the tutelage of John McIntosh and SYC Sailing Instructor Jimmy Brown he would develop his skills on the two rivers there where many of us have sailed the Southern Circuit...
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Links to all the results and photos, see who was presented Special Awards
Read a great Article by Lightning First Timer, Carolina Borges Mendleblatt "Our first Lightning regatta was a good experience. My husband, Mark and I had been talking for a while about getting into the Lightning class. We thought it would the right boat for us due to his time sailing in the Star class and my time as a crew in the Nacra 17. From what we could see, the Lightning has great tradition, design and competitiveness. A good fit for our family dynamic, our size and skill set. The class is full of nice people of all ages, families and very talented sailors. And after meeting up in Miami with our friend Lara, we decided to give it a try..."
Click on the Link Above and Mark your calendar for 2027 Winter Championship March 17-21, 2027 St Petersburg Yacht Club
| | | | 2026 Youth World Championship - June 22-26, 2026
Tuusulanjärven Purjehtijat, Lake Tuusula, Finland
Things are beginning to thaw out in Finland and TEAMs are getting registered! You will soon start to see social media posts introducing you to the participants.
So far, we have confirmed Teams from CAN (3), ECU (1), FIN (2), GRE (2) and USA (5). We are still waiting for BRA (1) and CHI (1) to officially register.
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One week prior to the World Championships event, the Finnish National and European Championships will take place at the same venue, from June 15 to 18, 2026. These events offer an excellent opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with the race area and local wind conditions ahead of the Worlds. The Finnish National and European Championships are open events. All are welcome to participate.
Any questions on eligibility please contact the Class Office.
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Learn more about the challenge and START LOGGING your days!
Stay up to date with frequent Blog Posts from Bill Cabrall - They are highly entertaining and fun to read! Check out his latest GOT Flashes Blog Post And while you are there you can subscribe to the GOT Flashes Blog Posts so you never miss an update! | | | |
Indy Open: Brad Wagnon, Brad Corcoran, Dylan Saber
Annapolis Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta: Augie Diaz, Laura Jeffers, Ciara Rodriguez- Horan
Long John Regatta: Mitch Hnatt, Ryan Stagaard, Maureen Felser
Regata Mensual: Gustavo Tamayo, Antonio Mila, Bart Skala
Circuito Sur: Benjamin Fuenzalida, Alfredo Urzua, Diago Natho
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 - be sure to add the event to the ILCA Event Calendar and send in results after the regatta! | Upcoming Regattas:
Click on the event for more info or
If you need help listing your events please contact Laura in the Class Office. | Upcoming Events through June 30, 2026
Monthly Lightning racing in Colombia!
Excellent regatta to kick-off the season! Cool breeze, warm friendships and hot competition. Low entry fee, adult beverages served all weekend! Too much fun to miss!
Lightning Class Finland - Eagle Ranking
Try out a Lightning! The Lightning Fleet is hitting the Pacific Northwest BIG in 2026!
All are welcome to Columbia Sailing Club on Lake Murray!
Come sail on Malletts Bay for the ultimate sailing experience! Combined NE and CT/RI Districts with the annual Lake Champlain Spring Regatta!
https://nextsailor.com/regatta/PotomacCup2026 Link for registration
Save the Date! NEW LIGHTNING Start!!
Lightning Class Finland - R2 Lyhytrata LM Tampere / R2 Short Course LM Tampere
Leatherlips Yacht Club, O'Shaughnessy Reservoir, Powell, Ohio
First MI District Regatta of 2026! Get your boat ready for the season!
Make it a great weekend of sailing on the beautiful Susquehanna River. Our members look forward to making it so!
All are invited to this 3rd Annual event! Don't miss the FUN!
Join us for the Evans Regatta & Midwest District Championship in Green Bay!
Campeonato Nacional de Lightning
Come and experience Midsummer Nights in Finland!
Lake Carlyle Welcomes All!
Lake Erie Districts at Pymatuning Yacht Club This is an open event - please come join us!
All are invited to Cazenovia, NY!
Youth Worlds rotate to Finland!
A two day “Open” regatta again for 2026. This will also be the CNY District Championship. 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. Please register at this link: https://keukayachtclub.com/regatta/LsTkyjWKA7
| | Major Championship Regattas |
Campeonato Nacional de Lightning
Come and experience Midsummer Nights in Finland!
Youth Worlds rotate to Finland!
Country Qualifier for 2027 Pan Am Games (pending approval). Canadian qualifier for the 2027 Worlds. Optional clinic, debrief and dinner to be held in the U.S. Friday afternoon. Racing Saturday and Sunday. Open to all Lightnings.
Come and explore Milwaukee and race on beautiful Lake Michigan!
SAVE THE DATE! Get ready for some great racing in Sheboygan, WI! You'll have your fill of cheese, beer, brats, and FUN!
After a short break in 2025, Lightning action is back in Jacksonville! This year the regatta will be double billed and also serve as the Atlantic Coast Championships!
The Chilean National Championship is BACK in Pucon!
3 Days of Racing in St Pete - now the Midwinter Championship- leave your boat in the area and you will be ready for the St Pete Winter Champs in March and the Worlds in April!
Includes a Master's Winter Championship - Great tune-up for Worlds in April!
Open event for skippers 55+ and combined crew of 130+ as of 12/31/2027
Coming back to Peru! Same location as the 2018 Games.
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2026 Lightning Boat Census
Did you know that nearly 15,700 Lightnings have been built since 1938? And where are they all?
This year, the Lightning Class is going to find out. The Class is conducting a boat census to discover the whereabouts and condition of as many of our boats as possible. The Census will enable us to update our boat registry, engage with boat owners, discover how the boats are being used, and understand people’s plans for them. The results will be used to shape our efforts to grow existing fleets, create new ones, get good used boats into the hands of emerging U32 and collegiate skippers and increase our sailing footprint as we head towards our 100th anniversary in 2038.
Read more at Boat Census Kickoff Information or
go straight to the census and report your boat at Boat Census Survey. | | | International Lightning Class Association
Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
(727) 942-7969 | |