Twenty teams representing ten countries will gather in Algarrobo Chile for the 2024 Lightning DVP Youth World Championship, July 23-27. This is the same venue which hosted sailing events at the 2023 Pan American Games. Teams enter by sailing country qualifying regattas. Five boats are sailing with two or more family members aboard and one is an all-family team. Five of the teams are sailing in the (PanAm) mixed configuration of two females and one male. In all 28% of the fleet is female and five are at the helm. This regatta brings together the next generation of Lightning Sailors from around the World and forges new friendships, many that will last a lifetime.
The round-robin format championship is capped at 20. The boats are supplied by the local Fleet and Lightning Legend Tito Gonzalez himself will fine tune each boat! Competitors bring their own sails. It takes many hands to put this regatta together and Past Lightning Class President, Victor Lobos has done an excellent job in leading the local team of volunteers. A big Thank You to the entire Team!
Two races per day are scheduled, with crews coming back to the club after each race to switch boats. Several off the water activities sponsored by DVP, Visa, Bora Bora Restaurant, Domos.com, Windmade and North Sails are planned so participants are sure to have fun! Since it is winter in Chile, the temperatures will be cool, so crews are urged to bring warm clothes. The race organizers along with the Chilean Navy have many resources at their disposal, to deliver the safest event possible.
Racing wise, the PRO for this event will be Mr. Lucas Gomez, along with an experienced team of race officials. We will be using MarkSetBot marks, which help the organization in setting up fair courses. The boats are ready, the wind is blowing, seas are roaring (just kidding) and the club is anxious to receive the youth sailors!
Cofradia Nautica Del Pacifico site & video: https://www.cofradianautica.cl/2024/07/03/mundial-dvp/
Regatta website: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=16549
Watch the Lightning Social Media sites for updates throughout the week:
https://www.instagram.com/intlightning/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Lightning-Class-Association/197584991571
More information on the International Lightning Class Association: https://www.lightningclass.org