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Lightning

Experienced and always ready for the next challenge—nothing describes our Lightning team and sails better. Every one of our Lightning team members is passionate about the class, its sailors, and helping everyone go faster and meet more challenges. Our commitment to excellence is unrivaled. If you’re looking for more than just sails for your Lightning, the Quantum team is always ready to help.

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Lightning Mainsails

Lightning AP Mainsail

Based on our most successful designs, the Quantum AP Main is easy to tune and trim while being forgiving and fast.  This sail comes complete with RBS battens, tell tales, numbers, a bag, vision window, and class royalty.  

Lightning Headsails

Lightning A1 Jib

This sail is for those looking for more power, especially in light air or chop. The Annapolis Jib is forgiving and goes through the ranges well. The sail comes standard with telltales, vision window, draft stripes, bag, RBS battens and class royalty.

Lightning Spinnakers

Lightning Radial Running Spinnaker

This AP sail has a wind range from 0-30 knots. When you’re looking for an all-around performer, this is your sail. The radial construction is made from AirX 600. Includes class royalty.

Lightning Accessories

Lightning Extra Set of Battens

Extra Batten Set

Choose a Team Member

Alejandro Irigoyen

Alejandro Irigoyen

Alejandro Irigoyen started sailing when he was 12 years old. His father was a keen sailboat racer at the Yacht Club Argentino, and Alejandro spent his weekends racing and living aboard the family’s wooden S&S Finisterre. By the time he graduated high school, Alejandro knew he wanted to dedicate his life to sailing, so he started studying yacht design.

He started his sailmaking career in 1982 working for Hood, before starting his own Sobstad loft. In 2001, Alejandro joined the Quantum Sails family. “It was a natural decision,” he said. “I shared the same view and goals as the founding group.”

Though he’s sailed in various classes, Alejandro’s expertise includes Optimist, Cadet, 470, Snipe, J/24, J/70, J/105, Soto 33, and Soto 44 classes. Whether he’s sharing his class knowledge and experience, or helping customers organize their campaigns and training, Alejandro’s passion for excellence provides the best service, products, and support for his customers.

Basic info
  • Nationality: Argentina
Career highlights
  • 15-time National Champion in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Peru
  • 6-time South American Champion in Cadet, 470, J/24, and Soto 40 as helm/skipper
  • Coached 470 Olympic bronze medalist teams in 2000 & 2012
  • Coached Soto 40 Team Negra in 2010 & 2013
  • Has successfully raced as helm/trimmer/tactician on board various One Design and offshore boats at regattas in more than 30 countries around the world
Carter White

Carter White began sailing before he could walk, going on trips in the family's Lightning and then their J/24. He has experienced the beauty of the Gulf of Maine in a variety of cruising and racing boats. Having sailed and raced on multiple continents and at hundreds of locations, Carter considers the Maine coast of one the best places in the world to sail.

An accomplished junior sailor, Carter competed on the national level in multiple National Championships including the U.S. Sailing Bemis and Sears competitions. He then took a chance on an upstart college program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he majored in Economics and joined an aggressive, young, and new sailing team. He helped build the program into a national contender almost immediately; by his senior year, the program was ranked number one in the country. Carter was named All American for outstanding performance in inter-collegiate sailing competition.

After college, Carter worked for a local sailmaker in Maine where he learned to design, build, and repair sails; install marine rigging; and manage a small business. He enjoyed helping the company grow into the leading local source for sails, canvas, and rigging. During this time, Carter sailed with many customers, helping them win major championships such as the PHRF New England Championships and Key West Race Week.

Carter ultimately started his own business, managing sailing regattas and providing custom apparel and marketing products to marine businesses and events. Originally started in 2007 as Regatta Promotions, Carter set out to help yacht clubs and sailing organizations run better regattas. The business is still going strong today. Having successfully accomplished his mission, Carter and his wife, Molly, are now offering their years of product knowledge and expertise through You Regatta. You Regatta is located in the same facility as Quantum Sails Downeast in Falmouth, Maine.

One-design sailing is where Carter has showcased his sailing talents, winning three U.S. National Championships in three different one-designs. He won the prestigious U.S. Sailing Mallory Cup in 2017, skippering a J/70 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club as a representative of the Portland Yacht Club and SailMaine. He has skippered his J/24 You Regatta to many top finishes including fifth at the 2017 J/24 Worlds and second at the 2019 J/24 Midwinter Championships. Carter has won events sailing a variety of boats, including Swan 42, J/24, Lightning, Hinckley 51 SW, Custom 27’, Frers 36 & 41, Farr 30, Beneteau 36.7, J/80, J/70, 420, J/105, Etchells, Laser, Vanguard 15, and S2 9.1

While Carter has been working with Quantum, he has enjoyed the opportunities and rewards to reconnect with past clients in new ways that continue his true passion of helping sailors get more out of their boats, whether on the race course, gunkholing down the coast, or making a long ocean passage.

Basic info
  • Nationality: USA
  • Position: Portland Loft manager/Sail Consultant
  • Home town: Cumberland, Maine
  • Current Town: Portland, Maine
Career highlights
  • 4-time Maine High School State Champion (1990-1994)
  • All American for Hobart & William Smith Colleges (1998)
  • Key West Race Week (2001), 1st place, Tactician and Starting Helmsman
  • Swan 42 U.S. Nationals (2011), 1st place, Mainsail Trimmer
  • Block Island Race Week (2011), 1st place, Swan 42 Division, Mainsail Trimmer
  • Swan 42 U.S. Nationals (2012), 1st place, Mainsail Trimmer
  • Charleston Race Week (2014), 3rd place, 80 boat J/70 class, Tactician
  • J/24 U.S. National Championship (2016), 2nd place, Skipper
  • U.S. Sailing Adult Championships Mallory Cup (2017), 1st place, J/70, Helmsman
  • J/24 World Championships (2017), 4th place tie, Helmsman
This class currently has no results.
Date Regatta Result
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