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International
Lightning Class Association
HomeHall of Fame Index
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Inaugural Class of 2026, Public Announcement:
Lightning North American Championship
August 14, 2026 – Sheboygan, WI


Nominations for the 2027 Lightning Class Hall of Fame are now being accepted! You can learn more about the nomination process & submit a nomination here. Nominations can be for an individual or a group of individuals (such as a fleet), a company, a Yacht Club or other entity.

Nominations may be submitted at any time. However, only those received prior to January 4, 2027 will be combined with unselected nominations from each of the two prior years and considered for 2027 selection.

2027 Hall of Fame Nomination Form

The International Lightning Class Association teamed up with the Finger Lakes Boating Museum to build the Lightning Class Hall of Fame. Sailors, boat builders, sail makers, and the people who've shaped this class over nearly 90 years are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

The first Lightning was built in Skaneateles, NY back in 1938, right in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Now, over 15,500 boats later, that same region is about to become the home of the Lightning Class's story.

Read the full article to see how this partnership came together and what's next for the exhibit expansion.


 Visit Finger Lakes Boating Museum Website

Partnership Between the International Lightning
Class and Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Please join us in welcoming the inaugural class of the Lightning Hall of Fame!

The mission of the International Lightning Class Association Hall of Fame is to highlight and celebrate the Lightning Sailboat and recognize the sailors, boat builders, sail makers and individuals or organizations who have been instrumental in supporting and strengthening the Lightning Class since 1938.

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

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The Hall of Fame is a collaborative project of the International Lightning Class Association and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum.

The Association will on an annual basis select one or more individuals or groups for induction. The Hall of Fame will have both a virtual presence on the Lightning Class website and a physical display including a boat and memorabilia at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum
in Hammondsport, NY.

This year a second ceremony will be held, November 7 2026 – 2 PM to dedicate this space at the museum.

2027 Nominations are open, click here, or simply send an email with your nomination to office@lightningclass.org.

Hall of Fame Steering Committee

  • John Rudd (FLBM Board)
  • Meredith Killion (ILCA Ex Comm)
  • Ed Wightman (FLBM Founder)
  • Roger Slade (CNY Commodore)
  • Nicole Katsur (FLBM Programs)
  • Laura Jeffers (ILCA Ex Secy)
  • Bob Astrove (ILCA Classic Boats)

Process Workgroup

  • Bertie Werley
  • Dave Sprague
  • Jim Force
  • Bob Astrove

Hall of Fame Selection Committee

  • John Rudd (Chair)
  • Larry MacDonald
  • Bob Wardwell
  • Jan Davis
  • Paco Sola


Support from Corky Gray, ILCA Historian