2026 North American Championship

Fascinating Things To Know Before Crossing the Cheddar Curtain—Part 1

Greetings! The combined group organizing the Milwaukee and Sheboygan North American Championship events is alive and happy. We’re feeling good about the pre-registration process that has been going on. Of course, we will be happier when all the Districts are complete and everyone we hope shows up is on the Club Spot and/or Yacht Scoring registration lists. But we’re confident now that this will happen.

Here's one thing I personally will NOT do: I will not wonder why there are not 120 boats signed up for the NAs in Sheboygan. I will not become dark and worry that if we ultimately sail with 52+ boats, the sky is falling and that our square boat way of life is somehow about to end. I will trust that my fellow Lightning Owners are fully capable of managing their own affairs and that they will come and sail when they can fit it in. That does not mean that we won’t promote our events…nor that our events won’t be fantastic. But I will remember that people gotta work and take kids to College and paint their houses before the snow comes…and maybe stay home to be sure the fires don’t burn stuff.

Couple of simple reminders: July 27. July 27 - SHEBOYGAN Sailors

Those dates (they are the same date) are the last day to enter the North American Championship in Sheboygan at the lower price AND the last date to rent a Vakaros Unit to avoid late fees and potential rush shipping fees.

Measurement, Measurement, Measurement

Just a reminder that you do need to bring your measurement certificate with you to the events you are attending. If you can’t find one, ask the Class office (before July 31st) to send you a replacement. We measured the first boats last weekend and let’s just say not everyone had one.

The same thing is true of Membership Decals. The measurement checks include a check for those. Laura will have them in Milwaukee and Sheboygan and if you don’t have one, we will issue yours along with bow numbers. By the start of the first races, all boats will be sporting them.

Last for today: The Cheddar Curtain…it’s what we cheeseheads call the border between Wisconsin and Baja Wisconsin (Illinois). If you arrive during business hours, you owe yourself a stop at either The Brat Stop or the Mars Cheese Castle—or both on your way North. Look into it. You will not be disappointed. Both happen within 15 minutes of crossing into Wisco and are adjacent to I/94.