Video Test #2 and a linky test.

In 2004 we sailed Lyra to Mystic Seaport for the Sparkman & Stephens 75th Anniversary. I had the opportunity to shake the hand that gave us our Lightning. A short documentary  film was made for the event. Here is a short clip of the Class at Mr. Stephen's party.

Here is the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWxW-miza8w&t=2s 


The Mystic Seaport video 'Simply Brilliant' name derives from the S&S schooner Brilliant, their sailing ambassador. Brilliant was owned by Briggs Cunningham, (Lightning #1588), and his wife Lucy, (Lightning #3500), for years before they donated her to Mystic.  Craig Thayer and friends chartered her a few years  back (2006?).  He says she steers "like a 40 ton truck."

In this video of S&S designs sailing you will see a DUKW. This amphibious truck is one of our S&S sister ships. Its development earned Rod Stephens the Medal of Freedom.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Video Test #1   Lightnings on Long Island Sound 1948

Newsreel clip of Larchmont YC regatta in 1947

When asked to do a blog for the Class I immediately turned to a blog I have enjoyed for the last few years. Rod Mincher's blog sets the standard for classic racing sailboats. The Classic Moth is much like our Classic Lightning group. Building, restoring and racing  classic wooden sailboats. Rod captures this in his blog. With period videos like the one above, photos and old magazine clippings he brings it alive.  In his work I found the roots of our Lightning design in 'Departure', the basis of the Star and Comet designs. Jeff and Amy Linton sail  with these folks. While  I  have yet to cross paths with the Lintons  we have several mutual friends in the Flying Scot Class and the Watertribe. So here is Rod's Blog.  I like the tunes he throws in. Mine will be covers of tunes of the times we are covering. So click on the link. Hit the Youtube, cut up the volume and listen to the old B-3 as you scroll down for the pics...

 http://earwigoagin.blogspot.com/2017/

Lifted from Rod's blog