Follow along with us as we learn how to competitively sail a Lightning!
Hi there! We are 3 sailors and friends who received a Lightning to compete with as part of the ILCA's Boat Grant Program.
Throughout the rest of 2019, we will be traveling to regattas to compete with our boat in the Southeastern Lightning District. This website and blog has been set up to document our journey learning how to sail this boat and make it go fast. Updates will be posted after every regatta.
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If you are an experienced Lightning sailor and you have any tips or suggestions for us, feel free to reach out! We would love to meet you at any of the events we are sailing at or receive an email.
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Are you a young sailor interested in the Boat Grant Program? Head on over to the Boat Grant Program tab or feel free to shoot any of us an email. We'd be happy to chat with you about our experiences thus far!
Meet The Team
Darby Reddaway
Skipper
I grew up sailing Optis and Thistles on Lake Lanier. After graduating from the Optis, I moved into Lasers and participated in the US Women's Singlehanded National Championship three years in a row before sailing on Georgia Tech's racing team as an undergrad mechanical engineering student. Growing up on a Thistle made me appreciate the boat, and I'm excited to learn the ins and outs of a Lightning!
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Wheeler Sutton
Middle
I am an Atlanta native, and I just graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science. My sailboat racing experience ranges from dinghies up to keelboats. I have some experience sailing and racing Lightnings at Camp Sea Gull in North Carolina, and I am excited to build upon this experience racing with the Southeastern District.
Hannah Gersch
Forward
I grew up sailing on a San Juan 28 with my family and started competitive sailing in college. After graduating in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech this past May, I moved back home to Chattanooga, TN. I'm excited to spend my summer with the Lightning circuit before I begin medical school this fall.
Go jackets!
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