2021 Lightning Southern Circuit

The 2021 Lightning Southern Circuit completed its two-event tour at the Savannah Yacht Club for the 59th Deep South Regatta on March 26-27 in Savannah, GA. A solid southerly allowed for four races on day one, but with a full moon on the horizon, there was not enough wind on day two to out-pace the current where the Skidaway and Wilmington Rivers converge.

David Starck (Buffalo, NY) and his team of Tom Starck and Jenna Probst showed the fleet how to get it done, posting a 4, 1, 2, 5 to hold off Matt Fisher (Columbus, OH) and his team of Greg Fisher and Stuart Fisher who were just 4 points back with a 2, 2, 5, 7. The Ecuadorian Team of Julio Velez, Alfredo Ochoa and Irene Suarez finished with 23 points in third.

The Deep South Regatta concluded the 2021 Lightning Southern Circuit, adding to the 9 races at the 2021 Winter Championship held March 21-24 in St Petersburg, FL.

Starck and his team dominated overall circuit scoring with just 33 points. A consistent effort over 13 races to drop a 9 and only count all top 5 finishes. Team Fisher finished in second with 60 points. Team Gonzalez showed lots of promise with four race wins (more than either Starck or Fisher), but was penalized twice for starting too early and finished in 3rd with 74 points.

The Humphrey Newcomer Trophy was awarded to Kurban Ali, age 22, from St Petersburg, FL sailing with fellow FSU Sailing Alumni. 12 year old Katherine Starck, OH and 15 year old Jon Viens, CT were recipients of the Davis Youth Awards. Thomas Allen was awarded the George V. Fisher Sportsmanship Award.

Race details – Results – Facebook