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The junior team of Bobby Starck, brother Adam Starck, and Buck Rathbun navigated the tricky currents and tight boat traffic on the Wilmington and Skidaway Rivers to take home the 2023 Deep South Regatta in Savannah, Georgia. David Starck with crew Jenna Probst and Debbie Probst finished a point back in second place, which also secured the overall 2023 Southern Circuit Championship for his team on PatStrong.
Ched Proctor with crew Eric Oetgen and Laura Goldberg took home third place and finished second overall in the Southern Circuit. Under-30 skipper Tanner Probst with crew Abbie Probst and Dominique Wright lost the tiebreaker to Proctor and finished third overall in the Southern Circuit. Full results of the Southern Circuit, Deep South Regatta and the Winter Championship are included below.
The Lightning Class has always worked to remove barriers to allow juniors and under-30 competitors to compete in our event. Specifically, the Helen and Jay Limbaugh fund was established to support the education, training and promotion of junior sailoring in the Class. For the 2023 Southern Circuit, the Limbaugh Fund reimbursed 50% of the entry fees of any under-30 skipper.
That saved competitors like Bobby and Tanner, and 6 other under-30 skippers, up to $300 each over the past week. Further information on the Limbaugh Fund and the Lightning Boat Grant program can be found at www.lightningclass.org
Finally, the Southern Circuit is like a big family reunion for the Lightning Class. Like all family reunions, sometimes there is a little friction. Luckily, the class have an amazing Class member and boat builder in Tom Allen to help smooth these situations over (sometimes late into the night). That’s family, see you next Southern Circuit in St. Pete and Miami.
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