2025 Boat Grant Teams Announced!
Laura Jeffers | Published on 4/2/2025
Since the inception of the International Lightning Class Boat Grant Program in 2007, over 50 young teams have enjoyed the incredible level of racing and camaraderie the Lightning Class offers. More than 10 of these teams continue to actively race and own boats in the class today.
The Lightning Class is proud to announce the three 2025 Boat Grant teams!
“Our 2025 teams are a mix of recent and current strong collegiate sailors, underscoring the Class’s focus on encouraging young sailors to continue their involvement in one-design racing after college,” stated program co-chair Ryan Davidson.
Andrew Hopkins and his teammate of Susanna Hopkins and Mary Bevans hail from Charleston, SC. Andrew moved from Walled Lake, Michigan where he met his wife Susanna on the Clemson University Sailing Team. Susanna’s sister, Mary competed on the College of Charleston Sailing Team and rounds out the all-family team. The team intends to compete in and around the Southeastern Lightning District and will be mentored by local Lightning sailors, Greg Fisher & Ryan Davidson.
“We are humbled and excited to be chosen as one of the boat grant recipients for the 2025 season! We hope to build upon the legacy of the program by competing with enthusiasm and emphasizing fun and learning. Thank you to the Lightning Class for this amazing opportunity. We’re looking forward to a summer full of great Lightning sailing!” – Andrew Hopkins
(L-R) Mary Bevans, Andrew Hopkins, Susanna Hopkins
Hobart and William Smith collegiate sailors Will Murray, Heather Kerns, and Tess Weber are eager to show their strength among the Boston and Buffalo lightning fleets this summer. With plans to compete in the North American Championship and the Women, Junior, Master North American Championships, this team will be sure to enthusiastic to spend as much time as possible in the boat and experience the infamous Lightning Class camaraderie. The team intends to compete in and around the Buffalo Canoe Club fleet this summer and will be mentored by some of the class greats including Pan-American competitors and North American Champions.
“After sailing Lightnings in the past, I knew this was the perfect next step to continue developing as a sailor while forming lifelong connections within the class. I’m excited to compete, learn, and contribute to this incredible fleet” – Will (L)
“For me, the Lightning class seems like the perfect mix of competitive sailing, camaraderie, and lifelong enjoyment. The boat grant is a great opportunity for us and I can't wait to get on the water!” – Heather (M)
“I am super excited to bring my former teammates into the community that created my love for sailing and return to the class with skills that I gained in college sailing” – Tess (R)
Also hailing from Charleston, SC is Axel Stordahl and his team consisting of Garret Grenauer and Noelle Owen. This group of college alumni from College of Charleston has been together for the past 5 years. Although having little experience as a team with the Lightning, watch out for them on the racecourse. Axel and Garret won the 2022 and 2023 ICSA Match Race National Championship while team captain Noelle led the varsity team to be recognized with the Fowle Trophy in 2021 for their all-around team excellence. The team also intends to compete in and around the Southeastern Lightning District and will be mentored by local Lightning sailors, Greg Fisher & Ryan Davidson.
“I am extremely excited about the fleet and feel like this grant is the perfect opportunity to get into the fleet.” – Axel
(L-R) Axel Stordahl, Garret Grenauer, Noelle Owen
Longtime Class Member and One-Design Champion Ched Proctor is giving back to the sport and helping to pave the way for the next generation. Proctor recently joined the Boat Grant Committee as co-chair with Davidson. We close with his remarks, “It’s so much fun to watch and race against these youngsters! I look forward to getting to know and sailing against this years boat grant class.”
A special thank you to the entire Boat Grant Committee: Davidson, Proctor, Karl Allen, Bill Fastiggi, Bill Faude and Matthew Schon for making this program run smoothly and to the Lightning Class Membership for the continuous financial support.