World champ leads Lightning circuit

(March 17, 2014) – The Lightning Southern Circuit kicked off with 53 boats at the Miami Midwinter Regatta, hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club. Three races were sailed yesterday (Sunday) and another 3 races today with stellar racing conditions. PRO Jane Anne Pincus said “the wind never moved” it just continued to build throughout today preceding the anticipated front.

Current World Champion David Starck sailing with his brother Joe Starck and Neil Fowler have won 4 of the 6 races and currently sit in first place. Skip Dieball from Toledo, OH sailing with Jody Starck and Ian Jones are in second. The Fisher brothers sit in third and fourth. Greg Fisher from Charleston, SC sailing with his wife Jo Ann Fisher and Jeff Eiber are just ahead of Matt Fisher and his team of Todd & Kristine Wake. Rounding out the top five is Betsy Alison from Newport, RI with crew Will and Laura Jeffers.

The Lightning Southern Circuit is an annual ritual on the winter sailing circuit. One of the highlights of the week includes the class on-the-water mentor program. This year, organizer Nick Turney teamed up 19 boats with 12 coaches. “This is a very good program and I come to the circuit just for it. My sailing ability has improved tremendously because of it,” says Bill Cabrall, from Denver, CO.

Racing concludes in Miami on Tuesday, after which the teams pack up and head for St Petersburg Yacht Club for the Winter Lightning Championship (March 20-22), the second and final stop of this year’s circuit.

Results: http://www.lightningclass.org/racing/results/2014/miami.asp

Source: Class media