Lightning Fleet #53

LFSC was founded on Lightnings. The Lightning is a 1938 Sparkman & Stephens design weighing 700 pounds at 19 feet. With its crew of 3 (or potentially 2 for local club racing), it is a great boat to teach teamwork and most forms of sail trim. Each team member has a job and they overlap in some tough situations. It has been said many times that "if you learn to sail a Lightning, you will be able to sail most any other kind of sailboat". Many America's Cup sailors have had a Lightning tiller in their hand. 

Founding LFSC member Herman Nickels won the Lightning North American Championship (the equivalent of the World Championship back then) in 1959. Also in 1959, Herman and David Nickels won the bronze medal at the Pan-American Games and the Winter Championship as well. LFSC has produced many regatta, district, and other champions over the decades in the Lightning class.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 LFSC Open Regatta, September 20-21, 2025. Check the "Regattas" tab for more information.

Learn more at the International Lightning Class Association website. Click HERE for the most recent fleet racing results!

Click HERE to view Legacy Fleet Champions for the Lightning Fleet dating back to 1943!