FlashBlast - February 23, 2026
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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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| | Lightning 2027 PanAm Selection
Sailing equipment for the 2027 Pan American Games has been announced. As one of 14 events, 8 Countries will vie for Gold. The Lightning will sail in a mixed division with 2 Females and 1 Male. The games will be held in Lima, Peru with sailing events in Paracas. See the Announcement. Country Qualifiers will be announced as soon as possible. | | | Nominations for Inaugural Class Now Being Accepted
The mission is to celebrate the Lightning Sailboat and recognize the sailors, boat builders, sail makers, and individuals or organizations who have been instrumental in supporting and strengthening the Lightning Class since 1938.
Those honorees accepted each year based on the established criteria, will be formally recognized with displays in a designated Lightning Hall of Fame area of the Finger Lakes Boating Museum in Hammondsport, NY as well as online and public recognition by the Lightning Class. The deadline for 2026 Nominations are due by April 1, 2026.
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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 at Boat Census Survey. | | | | 2026 - U32 Regatta Announcement!
In its third year, U32 is a Lightning class initiative focused on strengthening the younger generation in the class by creating fun, competitive events to boost camaraderie and connections among young sailors after aging out of junior events.
Join us for the Third Annual Under 32 "U32" Regatta hosted at the Charleston Yacht Club! Sign up today under 'Who's Coming' to stay up to date, and we'll share more information when registration opens. U32 Invitational Regatta - Oct 24-25, 2026 | | | 8 Bells - James "Hoppy" Hopkins
Jim “Hoppy” Hopkins passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the age of 96. He was an avid sailor, skier, and hunter. A legendary Midwest District, Green Bay Fleet 112 member. Learn more about Jim and his 1964 win at the Brotz Regatta | NEW Class Store Merch!
New Lucky Lid - Perfect for St Patrick's Day!
New Handmade MOLA Hoods! Deep Teal or Red Rust
U32 Hats and Tee's are IN STOCK!
Shop the Store Now! Those going to the Southern Circuit can order and pick up there with no shipping costs! |
2026 Youth World Championship - June 22-26, 2026
Tuusulanjärven Purjehtijat, Lake Tuusula, Finland
Well, the sailing venue is FROZEN at the moment (see above) but it won't be come June.
So far, we have interest from BRA, CAN, CHI, ECU, FIN and USA. The country deadline is MARCH 1st! We are still waiting for confirmation from GRE, PER, ARG and the number of boats per country.
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.
Important Deadlines:
Each Lightning National Class Association or National Authority shall inform the ILCA class office no later than March 1, 2026 of the number of boats that it would like to enter.
If a Lightning National Class Association or National Authority cannot fill its two-boat quota, those available slots will be reallocated to interested countries by March 15, 2026.
Each Lightning National Class Association or National Authority shall inform the ILCA class office no later than April 1, 2026 of the competitors that will represent their country.
Any questions on eligibility please contact the Class Office.
|  | | Lightnings were the LARGEST Fleet at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series St Pete Regatta!
Congratulations to Team PatStrong - David Starck, Jenna Probst and Catherine Moloney on a great win. They are the Mid-Winter Championships. Check out Lightning Class Social Media Channels for more photos and videos from the regatta.
This was a great warm up for the Southern Circuit - Don't miss out on the March events. This is great practice for the 2027 Worlds! | | |
Come to the Winter Championship March 14-18, 2026 and check out the venue or practice for next years Worlds!
Notice of Series, NOR's, On-Line Registration, Mentor Program Links are all LIVE:
Call for Karl Smither Award Nominations and so much more! Click on the Southern Circuit Blog Link above. | | | | Update on RaceSense, Executive Committee Action and Testing at the 2026 Winter Championship
The Class has now used the Vakaros Automated Race Management System (RaceSense) at several regattas, most recently at the 2025 Lightning North American Championship. Overall, the system has worked well, and we’ve heard a lot of useful feedback from competitors.
On November 17, 2025, we held a town hall to talk through whether and how RaceSense should be used at future events.
Following the town hall, an advisory committee was formed to review feedback from the Class, look at RaceSense data, and consider experiences from other classes.
| | | The committee met twice and based on that work, recommended that the Class test RaceSense with the distance to line feature enabled and all features available with the Atlas 2 unit at the 2026 Winter Championship, March 14-18, 2026 at the St Petersburg Yacht Club in St Petersburg, Florida.
Rental options for competitors who do not already own a Vakaros Atlas 2 unit will need to be secured by the competitor. A NOR Amendment #1 has been posted. All competitors at the Winter Championship will be required to use a RaceSense device.
After the Winter Championship, the data and feedback from the event will be reviewed to help determine how the Class proceeds with RaceSense in the future.
| | Here's your chance to WIN a TWO-NIGHT STAY at the beautiful Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel, all fees and taxes included (not parking).
Pick the dates of your choice (with confirmation from the hotel sales director). Certificate expires 12/31/2026. Tickets are $20 each, or 3 for $50. Drawing will be held Tuesday, March 17th during the St. Pete Winter Championship Banquet.
| | | This virtual and in-person raffle benefits the ILCA Fund (supporting programs aimed at promoting the sport of Lightning Sailing) and is part of the Fuel The Flash 2030 Fundraising Campaign. A perfect two-night getaway!
Join the fun, whether you're at the Winter Championship or not! You do NOT need to be present to win - but we hope you are! | WINTER MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Winter Governing Board Meeting will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at noon Eastern via a Virtual Meeting using the ZOOM Platform. District Commodores, Vice Presidents and the Executive committee will be emailed the invitation link prior to the meeting.
At this time no items have been submitted for vote.
If you would like to be added to the agenda or if you have something to share during either meeting, please send a request or short written report to Class Secretary Jeffers office@lightningclass.org or Class President at president@lightningclass.org by Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
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The Annual Winter Meeting of the International Lightning Class Association will be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 1100 Eastern Time.
At this time no items have been submitted for vote consideration.
The meeting link will be emailed to members prior to the meeting.
As a reminder, all personal and Fleet Membership Dues must be current in order for votes to be counted.
If you have an agenda item that you would like to propose please contact President David Starck president@lightningclass.org or myself in the Class Office by Sunday, March 22, 2026.
| | New Year - New Challenge!
Link to new tracking App - Click on Image | | | |
Click the G.O.T. Flashes link above or from the Class Website homepage, click on the G.O.T. Flashes icon and you will be sent to the app. Then, select the red ‘signup’ button in the upper right-hand corner to create your account and start logging your days. The new app is a delight to use. You can log multiple days in one session, review and edit all of your days sailed, check the Leaderboards instantly, and more. It's a huge improvement over last years process and has received rave reviews from everyone that's seen it.
Many sailors started logging days at the recent Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in St Pete!
Get Out There!
| | 2026 Classic Lightning Workshop Weekend
A collaboration of the International Lightning Class Association and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, Hammondsport, New York
Not just for Classic Lightning Owners - a few spaces are still open!
A weekend of Boat Maintenance, Learning, and Social activities for the benefit of Lightning owners & enthusiasts. Cost for the program will be $220. Food and Lodging is the responsibility of the attendees.
| | | | Fuel The Flash 2030 - every spark counts
Please help support the Lightning Class Donate Now
Have you read the recent emails on our Fuel The Flash 2030 fundraiser?
| | | 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 May 2026
Monthly Lightning racing in Colombia!
Includes a Master's Winter Championship and first Part of the Southern Circuit.
Nick Turney is back! Highlight of the Southern Circuit! You can't beat this deal!
Final stop of the 2026 Southern Circuit!
A weekend of Boat Maintenance, Learning, and Social activities for the benefit of Lightning owners & enthusiasts.
Monthly Lightning racing in Colombia!
Save the Date! Don't miss this FUN in Annapolis! IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the number of fleets participating in this event, including (7) SSA Fleets, boat storage space will be assigned for paid registrants on a first-come first-serve basis! REGISTER ASAP!
Lightning Class Finland - On The Rocks Regatta
64th annual spring regatta hosted by the Indianapolis Sailing Club on Geist Reservoir, NE of Indianapolis. Start your season with us. Enjoy inland lake sailing, professional race management, beautiful club and grounds, two hoists, boat ramp for classic boats, and a Kentucky Derby watch party with prizes before dinner on Sat.
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
All are welcome to Columbia Sailing Club on Lake Murray!
Come sail on Malletts Bay for the ultimate in combinations - combined NE and CT/RI Districts with the annual Lake Champlain Spring Regatta!
Save the Date! NEW LIGHTNING Start!!
| | Major Championship Regattas |
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!
Includes a Master's Winter Championship and first Part of the Southern Circuit.
Final stop of the 2026 Southern Circuit!
Campeonato Nacional de Lightning
Come and experience Midsummer Nights in Finland!
Youth Worlds rotate to Finland!
Open to all Lightnings. Canadian qualifier for the 2027 Worlds, to be held in the U.S. Friday afternoon: optional clinic, debrief and dinner. (Details to come) Racing Saturday and Sunday.
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
| International Lightning Class Association
Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
(727) 942-7969 | |