Lightning
Dieball Sailing is the go-to supplier of Lightning Sails throughout the world!
With over 15,400 boats produced, the Lightning is one of the largest and most successful classes in the world.
Dieball Sailing has been pushing the envelope in terms of development in the class. We have designed, tested and successfully campaigned the coolest looking and best made sails in the class with our D-CUT Radial designs. This project was outlined and implemented by our Chief Designer, Rick Rothenbuher. He quickly determined that the strength of the cloth could be better utilized in radial panel layout. This isn't new in sailmaking, but it is a step away from the long tradition of cross cut Lightning Sails.
Results matter & proof was recognized at the 2011 Canadian Open Championship. Long one of the ILCA's major championships, Skip Dieball, Tom Starck & Maddie Waldron pulled off a come-from-behind win against the best talent in the ILCA. Speed is only part of the story, however. Skip is still using these sails and they are still holding their great shape even after dozens of hours of hard use!
Experience and support matter! Both Ernie and Skip Dieball have been active in the Lightning Class for more than 20 years. You can find one of them at any number of events throughout the season and at the majors, including the Worlds, North Americans and South Americans. They've traveled the world and have a lot of experience they are willing to share.
The Lightning Class is one of the most proactive in terms of attracting new members. Their Boat Grant program is a huge success and Dieball Sailing has been a partner of that program since it started. We enjoy doing our part to hook young sailors in and know that when they spend time with the boat and class, they are hooked for life!
2011 Results:
Bruce Goldsmith Memorial - 1,2,3,4,5
Bare Bones - 2
Michigan Districts - 2,3,4,5
Indiana Districts - 1,2
Midwest Districts - 1*
Canadian Open Champs - 1
Mexican Pan Am Trials - 1,3
California Districts - 3
Mississippi Valley Dist. - 5,7,8
Hernando de Soto - 2
Lake Lansing - 1*,3
Indiana Open - 1
Texas Districts - 1,2,4
San Diego NOOD - 1
2010 Results:
European Championship - 1
Hoosier Regatta - 1
Texas Districts - 1,2,4 (1st Texas Division)
Indiana Open - 1
Nigerian Nationals - 1
Miami Midwinters - 8
St. Pete Winter - 3,14,18
Juby Wynne - 1
Southern Districts - 3
California Districts - 2
Bay City - 1
Michigan Districts - 1,4,5
Great Lakes Champs - 2,4
Click here for more information about our sails, including pricing and options.
Click here for our comprehensive tuning guide, which will help you see that there is a difference with Dieball Sailing!
- 2012 - Dieball Sailing is VX One Agent
- Bennett Yachting has selected Dieball Sailing as their Midwest Agent!
- 2012 Strictly Sail - Chicago, IL
- Dieball Sailing is pleased to join in the fun at the 2012 Strictly Sail Show in Chicago
- Mid-September Lightning Regattas
- Dieball Sailing customers showing their speed across the Midwest!
- August 2011 Newsletter
- Summary of this summer's excitement @ Dieball Sailing!
- 2011 Lightning North American Championship - LaSalle, MI
- Dieball Sailing support out in full force for this year's Lightning North Americans!
- 2011 Lightning Canadian Open Championship - Buffalo Canoe Club, Ontario
- Skip Dieball reports from one of the ILCA's championships.
- Club Racing 2011
- Mid-May marks the beginning of the sailing season for many in the Midwest! We had a blast on our first Wed Night Race!
- 2011 Lightning Indy Open - Indianapolis, IN
- Congratulations to our good friend George Sipel and his crew of Chris & Holly Snyder. They sailed an impressive event and Geo shares the fun below.
- 2011 SAILING WORLD San Diego NOOD - Lightning
- Interview with Jeff Coppens, winner of the Lightning Fleet at the 2011 San Diego NOOD Regatta.
- 2011 Lightning Southern Circuit - Savannah/Miami/St. Pete
- Ernie Dieball reports from the popular winter rendezvous for the Lightning Class
- Welcome Paul Abdullah to the Dieball Sailing Team!
- Long time Dieball Sailing supporter joins the Dieball Sailing sales team!
- December 2010 - Interview with David Starck
- 2010 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Nominee sits down and shares ideas & approaches all sailors should consider!
- 2010 Bowen Memorial Lightning - San Diego, CA
- Skip Dieball reports from San Diego where he helped & participated in a local Lightning event.
- 2010 USA Pan American Lightning Trials - Tampa, Florida
- 20 of the best Lightning sailors from the USA gather in Tampa to send the USA's best to the Pan Am Games in 2011!
- 2010 North Cape Fall Blowout - LaSalle, Michigan
- George Sipel continues his Lightning racing success and sent us this report! Congrats Geo!
- 2010 Hoosier Lightning Regatta - Lake Wawasee, IN
- Bill Faude aces the fleet with Dieball Sailing Lightning Sails. Ernie Dieball reports.
- 2010 Bruce Goldsmith Memorial Lightning Regatta - Devil's Lake, MI
- Ernie Dieball gives a recount of the great event in Manitou Beach, Michigan. DLYC always throws a great event!
- 2010 Lightning North American Championship - Toms River, NJ
- Annual class championship for the Lightning offered up some incredible racing with great sailing conditions. Report by Skip Dieball. Photos: www.lightningclass.org
- 2010 Lightning Great Lakes Championship - LaSalle, Michigan
- Great turnout for this Lightning Pan Am Trials Qualifying event!
- 2010 Michigan Lightning Districts
- Great turnout with a weekend of almost all conditions. Report by Skip Dieball.
