2024 Lightning Boat Grant Team

The Lightning Class has confirmed three Boat Grant recipients for 2024, continuing a program that began in 2007 and has introduced over 45 young teams to the Lightning Class. To date, ten of these teams continue to actively race in the class.

“Our 2024 teams are recent graduates of strong collegiate sailing teams, underscoring the Class’ focus on encouraging young sailors to continue their involvement in one design racing after college,” explains program Co-Chair Greg Fisher. “We are especially enthused that all three teams are geographically spread out in the USA over the east coast, New England, and mid-west.”

The grant is for use of a boat and equipment for one season, plus all entry fees and some travel expenses, after which the boat may be available for purchase, depending on the situation. Each recipient will also be assigned a “mentor“ for the season.

2024 Grantees:
Aidan Naughton and his teammates Marina Barzaghi and Kaleigh Morgan have all been competitive college sailors. Naughton (North Kingstown, RI) sailed for University of Rhode Island, Barzaghi sailed at University of South Florida, and Morgan sailed for George Washington. This team already sailed the Midwinter circuit where they finished in an impressive 11th overall in their first regattas together!

Team Naughton intends to continue to sail the regatta circuit including the North American Championship at the Buffalo Canoe Club. They will be based out of Rhode Island and mentored by longtime Lightning sailor PJ Schaffer. In his application, Naughton said: “I have shaped my life around our sport of sailing, but I have recently been lacking in the simple pleasure of sailing with friends and trying your best to achieve a good result against respected competitors. There is no better way to do this than to head to the next Lightning Regatta!”
——————–
Emma Hawko (Shelburne, VT), a 2022 and 2023 Boat Grant Alumni, returns this year as skipper and with an all-woman team! Competing for McGill University, Hawko will sail with Kim Roswell (Northeastern University) and Caitlin Derby (University of Vermont). They will be based out of Vermont and mentored by multi-class champion and Lightning guru Ched Proctor.

Hawko has already immersed herself in the Lightning class and was elected New England District secretary in 2023. The intend to participate in Fleet 332’s weekly racing and the larger events, including the North Americans in Buffalo.
——————–
Ian Beckley (Madison, WI) was captain of the Hobart William Smith team and now is Head Coach at Wisconsin. His teammates, Noah Hallerman and Sophie Lusty, are both members of the Wisconsin Sailing team. They will be based out of Madison and mentored by long time Lightning champion and Boat Grant Committee member, Bill Faude.

“The skill emphasis, competitiveness, opportunities for development, fairness, and community aspects are just a few of the reasons why I prefer One-design dinghy racing,” shared Lusty. “From my experience racing Lightnings in the past, the class is a perfect opportunity to continue sailing in a competitive boat for years to come!”
——————–
Boat Grant Program Co-Chair Ryan Davidson, himself a Boat Grant Alumni (2018), found how the program had expanded his sailing experiences over the past five years with highlights including a second-place finish at the 2019 South American Championship in Peru and officially becoming a Lightning boat owner in 2022. At the 2024 Winter Championships, he finished a 3rd overall.

“I am excited to pass along the knowledge I’ve learned and welcome new sailors into the Class,” noted Davidson.

Program details:
• www.lightningclass.org
• office@lightningclass.org
• 727-942-7969