This week in the Lightning universe, Kansas City Missouri is the most active place on earth for Lighting sailing! The first 50 sail G.O.T.-Flashes burgee has been awarded to Ken Brown of Bolton, Missouri, a Kansas City Suburb. Over the 190-day period from March 8 thru September 14, Ken put his boat in the water every 3-1/2 days (on average), sailing with family and friends on Lake Jacomo just for the joy of it. When I called him with congratulations for being the first G.O.T.-Flashes participant to log 50 days, he told me that his boat, 9287, had been sitting out in the backyard for many years, but that last fall he cleaned it up, fixed it up, and over the winter got it seaworthy again. When Spring came he started sailing and never looked back.
Ken plans to sew the burgee to the leech of his main and fly it proudly every time he goes sailing. He says that he hopes to use it as an example of what membership in the Class means and how the Class gives back to its members in return for their participation when he encounters other Lightning owners in his area that do not (yet) belong to the ILCA.
The Lightning Class is pleased and proud to honor Ken with this Burgee for taking an older boat, bringing it back to life, and using it more than 50 times to promote the joys of owning and sailing a Lightning. In a year when people are actively campaigning their boats across the globe in Local, Regional, National, and international competition for the right to fly the G.O.T.-Flashes 50 Sail Burgee, it is wonderful that the first person to receive one hails from our classic boat contingent.
Looking at the rest of the Leaderboard, Bob Shapiro is currently in second place with 47 days on the water and David Werley and Bob Bush are tied for third with 43. The fall regatta schedule is full of fantastic events, and there is plenty of time for YOU to make it across the 50 sail line -Get Out There!
Bill Cabrall
G.O.T. Flashes Data Processing
