Following the completion of the Sacramento Travelers Trophy Regatta on May 2nd & 3rd, here are the current R8 TT Standings:
The next event on the Region 8 Travelers Trophy circuit will be TEAM CHALLENGE I in San Diego on May 30th:
https://www.sandiegoargonauts.org/2026/04/27/2026-df95-team-challenge-i-registration-now-open/
The San Diego Argonauts had an outstanding showing at the May 2–3, 2026 Region 8 Dragon Flight 95 Travel Trophy Regatta at Bridgeway Lakes in Sacramento, hosted by the Sacramento Model Yacht Club (SMYC).
In a competitive 14-boat fleet and breezy Northern California conditions, Argonauts sailors captured 4 of the top 5 finishing positions.
Leading the charge was Jess Atkinson with a 1st place finish, followed by Len Bose in 2nd, George Pedrick in 3rd, Dennis Rogers in 4th, and Chris Staiger in 5th.
The regatta featured steady 10–15 knot winds, fast racing, and the always-appreciated camaraderie that makes the DF95 Travel Trophy series such a favorite among skippers throughout Region 8.
In addition to the racing, the weekend highlighted everything that makes the Travel Trophy series special — road trips with fellow sailors, reconnecting with friends from other clubs, sharing stories over Saturday dinner, and learning how different clubs organize and run their events. Another fantastic weekend of competitive RC sailing, strong Argonauts results, and great camaraderie throughout Region 8.
In this latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson takes us on a tour of the Pacific Northwest RC sailing scene—highlighting some of the most active clubs, unique sailing venues, and passionate communities from Oregon to Washington to Idaho, and even up to Salt Spring Island.
Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pacific-northwest-ponds-oregon-washington-idaho-salt/id1874110517?i=1000763767536
From the diverse fleets of the Rose City Model Yacht Club in Portland, to the strong IOM and DF95 presence in Seattle and Olympia, and the scenic sailing spots like Seafarers Memorial Park in Anacortes, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to travel, explore, or connect with other RC sailors.
You’ll also hear stories of legendary regattas like the Hood River Carnage, a look into grassroots boat-building culture (including T37 workshops at the Wooden Boat Museum), and tips on how to use the AMYA website to find clubs, regattas, and class info anywhere in the country.
The episode also wraps with updates on the DF95 Traveler Series stop in Sacramento, the IOM World Championships in the UK, and the always-popular Battle in Seattle.
Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just getting into RC sailing, this episode is a great reminder: there’s a whole world of ponds—and great people—waiting out there.
In line with our recent Board and Member meeting discussions, our Commodore Jess Atkinson has encouraged members to step up into a new volunteer role—Fleet Captains—for each of our four sailboat classes.
Here are the Fleet Captains by class:
IOM: Dennis Rogers
DF95: Jack Calafato
ODOM: Keith Sternal
Soling 50: Ben Reeves
These Fleet Captains will help coordinate the setup and breakdown of the regatta course during point series weekends, aligned with the order of racing. The first fleet of the day will take the lead on setting the course and getting the skiff out on the water, while the final fleet will handle course breakdown and help clean and secure the skiff.
In addition, Fleet Captains are responsible for coordinating help and arranging backups or replacements as needed—making sure each weekend runs smoothly even if schedules shift.
This new system kicks off on May 9th with the ODOM & Soling race day.
This is a simple but important step toward keeping our race days organized and efficient—and a great example of the Argonauts community pitching in to support one another.
Thank you to everyone who stepped up!
Following Sacramento on May 2-3, the next stop on the 2026 Region 8 Travelers Trophy Tour will be San Diego on May 30th for Team Challenge I. This TMS (Team Management System) event will be fast-paced and fun with great spectator appeal. Matches take place on a tight course where rules knowledge and tactics usually win out over straight-line speed. Through a combination of round-robin and wildcard knockout stages, TMS keeps nearly every team ‘in the hunt’ for the final few races, with the winner ultimately being decided by the last race or two!
This year, skippers have the option to enter their own 2-Boat Teams or enter as individuals and be seeded into Teams as in prior team events.
Current Roster (5/6/26):
This weekend’s Points Races at the Pond delivered one of those classic, tricky sailing days. (Results below)
The wind kept everyone on their toes with big, unpredictable lulls & shifts—especially in the second half of the day. The pin end became increasingly favored, and those who figured out the sneaky pin-end starts found themselves quietly climbing the leaderboard. Steve’s videos are below. Thank you, Steve, we love your videos even without the commentary!
But beyond the racing, the day carried a deeper emotional note. We gathered to send off our dear friend Rich Rogers, who is heading to Oregon to be closer to family.
Richie has been a constant source of positivity, encouragement, and humor at the pond, always quick with a smile, a joke, or an encouraging word from the sidelines. The farewell was simple, heartfelt, and yes… a bit emotional. Richie will be truly missed.
And in one of those rare special moments, a couple of young visitors spent time by the pond and created a beautiful oil painting capturing the RC sailing action and the spirit of the day.
Days like this remind us, it’s not just about the racing. It’s about the people, the stories, and the moments in between.
Results & Videos below:
Videos:
Join us for a free, hands-on community event where you can experience the thrill of radio-controlled boating & sailing in an inclusive & friendly environment at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.
Whether you are a competitive sailor, weekend hobbyist, part of a sailing team, or simply curious about scale boats, this event welcomes everyone to grab a transmitter and try RC Boating!
* Hands-On Experience – Argonauts members will hand you the control of their own scale boats & sailboats.
* Fun Mini-Courses – Short courses set up for casual mini-races, practice maneuvers, and casual boating.
* Expert Coaching – Real-time guidance from experienced RC skippers sharing tips & strategies.
* Free Food & Community Vibes – Picnic-style pizza & hot dogs for all who RSVP by July 29th via Eventbrite at modelboats.eventbrite.com
When: Saturday, Aug 1st, 2026 (10:00 AM to 2:30 PM)
Where: San Diego Model Boat Pond, Mission Bay Park
Cost: Free – Just show up and play!
Come learn, compete, or just play around on the water — no prior RC experience is needed.
Bring your curiosity (and maybe a friend), and let the San Diego Argonauts show you what RC boating & sailing is all about.
Questions? Email [sdargonauts@gmail.com] or visit www.sandiegoargonauts.org
