Lightning U32 Invitational Results and Recap

Results write up contributed by Anna McBride

From October 23–25, Charleston Yacht Club hosted the third annual Lightning U32 Invitational. The event brought together 36 Lightning teams in Charleston, South Carolina, for a weekend of competitive sailing.

Saturday and Sunday brought 15-knot breezes, with puffs reaching 26 knots and a strong current. Despite the conditions, the fleet completed three races on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Each of the five races was won by a different team:

Race 1: Scott Harris, Hogan O’Donnell, and Ashton Loring

Race 2: Will Rucker, Jack Sutton, and Teddy Williams

Race 3: Jenna Probst, Grace Moore, and Carly Starck

Race 4: Kayla Neuman, Ashtyn Neuman, and Sam Croft

Race 5: Brady Starck, Ryan Ehnot, and John Wood

Team Lunch Meat (Scott Harris, Hogan O’Donnell, and Ashton Loring) took the overall win. They were followed by Brady Starck, Ryan Ehnot, and John Wood in second, and Will Rucker, Jack Sutton, and Teddy Williams in third.

The International Lightning Class Association began hosting the U32 Invitational in 2024 to introduce younger sailors, largely postgraduate, to the class and give them an opportunity to try out the boat. You can read more about the U32 initiative HERE.

Class members lend their boats and offer to house participating sailors. These efforts help make both the event and the class as a whole more accessible to those interested in getting involved.

Thank you to Maya Weber, Jenna Probst, Ryan Davidson, Allison Hannigan, and Charleston Yacht Club for organizing the event.

You can find the full results HERE.

Priscilla Parker (priscillaparker.com, @carolinagirlsc1), via International Lightning Class Association/Facebook.

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