International Lightning Class Association

The Lightning has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world. 

Designed by Olin Stephens in 1938, it quickly became the most popular boat in the US. The Lightning is raced with, a team of three. It is fast enough to be exciting, slow enough to be very tactical and the boat is very physical to sail in a breeze. 

Today there have been over 15,600 built, and it is still one of the strongest and most active classes in the US. It is an International Class with activity in South America, Europe, Africa, Australia and North America. In the US there are nearly 80 active fleets with many weekend regattas throughout the year.