75th Running of the Winter Lightning Championship

On March 18-22, the SPYC was host to the 75th running of the Winter Championship. This is also the longest running event that our Yacht Club holds. We had 41 boats from 17 states; from Oregon to Massachusetts. Four countries represented with Argentina, Chile and Columbia sending teams.

Our Race Committee team led by Youth Sailing Director Todd Fedyszyn ran 6 flawless races. Sunday was quite chilly and breezy so we delayed on shore. The majority of the sailors are lake sailors and hadn’t been in their boats for close to 6 months and with the favorable wind forecasts it wasn’t necessary to push the competitors too hard on their first day. The wind dropped a bit, the temperature went up a bit and we were able to get 2 races in in the afternoon with wind blowing 16-20kts. Javier Conte from Argentina won the first race and Augie Diaz from Coral Reef Yacht Club won the second.

Sunday evening the sailors were treated to the ever popular potato & salad bar dinner. They enjoyed the chance to connect with old friends that they have missed due to the years of Covid. I think the high spot was the Whiffle Pickle Ball competition. Thank you to Commodore Smith and his lovely wife Connie for joining us and the words of welcome to our guests.

by Karen Park, Event Chair

Monday’s racing was very similar to Sunday. The temperature was a little cooler, the winds were 13-16kts. and the water was less choppy. Felipe Robles from Chile won the third race and Jody Starck from the Buffalo Canoe Club won race 4. Tuesday welcomed us with sunny skies and temperature approaching 80. The winds subsided to 10-12 kts. Jody Lutz from Metedeconk River YC in NJ won Race 5 and Felipe Robles won Race 6. Tuesday sailors were treated to their annual buffet banquet dinner. This is a favorite night for them and we haven’t been able to hold the banquet since 2019 due to Covid restrictions.

Thank you again to Commodore Smith and Connie for attending this event. There were some special awards given out and a burgee presentation from Niantic Bay Yacht Club Wednesday brought us a day of no wind. We tried our best to give them more races but decided to end on the 6 races we already had.

The Lightning is widely known as a “Family” boat. There were at least 15 boats sailing with at least 2 of three people from one family. Husbands, wives, in-laws, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews! This year the PanAm Games will be held in Chile in November and the Lightning is one of the sailboats selected. The format this year is that each 3 person boat is required to have 2 of 3 on board to be female. We had 11 boats participating being Pan Am hopefuls. US Trials are in May in North Carolina.

The International Lightning Class Association governs these boats. They are sailed worldwide and hold the World Championship every 2 years rotating from North America to South America to Europe. This year the Worlds will be held in Columbia in late November. There were 8 boats competing that are intending to compete at the Worlds.

Trophies were presented at the Sailing Center on Wednesday afternoon. 2023 Champion is Jody Starck with her brother-in-law Tom and their niece Elizabeth crewing. 2nd Place went to Jody Lutz with his brother Jay and Chris Schon as crew. 3rd Place went to Felipe Robles with Paula Herman and Carmina Malsch. The Masters

Championship is held at the same time. The skipper must be a minimum of 55yrs and combined crew age of 130 yrs. This years

Masters Champion is Jody Lutz with Jay and Chris Schon . 2nd Place went to David Starck with Jenna Probst and Debbie Probst (mother of Jenna). 3rd Place to Augie Diaz with Kim Couranz and Taylor Scheuermann . The Colin Park Memorial trophy is awarded to the highest placing husband and wife team. This year's award went to last year's winners, Ryan and Tesse Ruhlman - pictured above with Event Chair, Karen Park.

by Chris Fraser, Entertainment Chair