Category: Competition Info

contests

đźš©Fleet Captains Step Up to Support Weekend Racing

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!

Points: IOMs & DF95s (April 25th, 2026) + A Farewell & Touch of Art

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:

🎙️ Argonauts Radio – Episode 6: History & Community of RC Sailing in California

A Deep Dive into the History & Community of RC Sailing in California

In this episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson takes the mic solo to deliver a rich, insider tour of RC sailing across California. Drawing on decades of experience and deep connections throughout the community, Jess offers a deep-dive perspective on the people, ponds, and clubs that shape the Region 8 sailing scene.

The episode takes listeners on a journey up the coast—from San Diego to Northern California—highlighting the diversity of clubs, racing styles, and fleets. From tight, shifty local ponds to world-class venues, Jess breaks down what makes each location unique, how different classes demand different techniques, and how sailors stay connected through shared events, competition, and long-standing relationships.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-californias-region-8-ponds-regatta-results/id1874110517?i=1000761135006

One listener on Spotify captured the spirit of it perfectly:
“So cool how plugged in you are with the other chapters! You should do a big episode with some other commodores! Kinda like the meeting of the families in The Godfather.”

We couldn’t agree more—this episode feels exactly like that: a behind-the-scenes look at a tightly connected network of clubs and personalities that together form the backbone of RC sailing in California and beyond.

Jess also covers major international and domestic racing & clinic highlights, including standout U.S. performances at the British Nationals and a preview of the upcoming IOM World Championships.

Closer to home, the episode wraps with a full recap of the 2026 DF95 Region 8 Championship at the San Diego Model Boat Pond—an outstanding weekend of racing, great conditions, and classic Argonauts hospitality, made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers and competitors from across the country.

Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just discovering RC sailing, Episode 6 of the Argonauts Raido is a must-listen—a blend of history, storytelling, and competitive insight that captures what makes this community so special.

2026 DF95 R8 Championship – Final Standings

The San Diego Argonauts hosted the DF95 Region 8 Championship on April 11–12.

A little bit of everything over the weekend—shifting winds, tight mark roundings, and even a 20-minute spurt of rain on Sunday—but one thing remained constant: the Corinthian Spirit. 🙂

We saw it all out there—winds shuffling between S, SW, W, and NW, keeping everyone on their toes and delivering some truly dynamic racing. The competition was top-notch: Jim Sears schooled the fleet on Saturday, and Chris Davidson took over the act on Sunday.

Top 5 and Final Standings below:
1) Chris Davidson
2) Jess Atkinson
3) Keith Ives
4) Dennis Rogers
5) Kerim Baran

A huge thank you to all the competitors, guests, and organizers who made this such a special event. Special shoutout to Chris Staiger and team for putting together an impeccably run regatta—while somehow also cooking up a fantastic BBQ!

And of course, it wouldn’t be an Argonauts weekend without the full experience: the classic Bob Dogs and an amazing pizza spread on Sunday.

All around, another great weekend at the pond!

Pictures & Videos below:

Race 14A

Race 13A

Race 12A

Race 11A

Race 9A


Race 8A


Race 7A

Race 6A

Race 3A

Race 2A

Race 2B

Race 1A

Race 1B