Strong but shifty winds, high humidity and sunny warm temperatures ruled the day for September Points Racing.
Mike Fruciano traveled all the way from Phoenix (along with Rod Sturgess) to RD the DF95 Fleet; Thanks, Mike! Results below:
Next was the IOM’s turn. Thanks to RD Craig Mackey! Results below:
Videos and Commentary courtesy of Steve Ross!:
Saturday’s IOM and DF95 Points Racing was about much more than the results. It was also our opportunity to gather at the pond and say farewell to our good friend and fellow skipper, Chris Davidson, as he prepares to return home to Australia.
Chris has been a tremendous part of the San Diego Argonauts—an excellent sailor, a tireless helper and, most importantly, a great friend. We were delighted that so many members came out to race, watch, and help us give him a proper Argonauts send-off.
The IOM fleet kicked off the day with Kerim & Pat as the RD’s with help from Keith.
Several skippers recorded race wins during a highly competitive session, but when the scores were tallied, the podium belonged to:
A special thank-you goes to Jack Calafato for lending Chris his BritPOP for the day and giving him one more opportunity to compete with the IOM fleet before his departure.
Next came the DF95s, with an impressive 18 boats on the starting line. Craig Mackey was our bad-ass RD with help from Sean O’Connor. The competition was excellent—and yes, there were even a few black flags!
The racing was incredibly close, with multiple heat winners, plenty of position changes and some wonderful examples of Corinthian sportsmanship. The competitors “kept it on the water,” allowing us to complete the day on a high note.
The final DF95 podium was:
How fitting that Chris won his final DF95 points race with the club! Apparently, the best farewell gift we could give him was a fleet of 17 boats to beat.
Congratulations to all six podium finishers and a big thank-you to Race Directors, every competitor, our enthusiastic “peanut gallery” and the many visitors who stopped to enjoy the action.
Special thanks also go to Steve Ross for capturing and assembling videos from the day. You can watch the racing in the YouTube playlist below:
Watch the IOM and DF95 Points Racing Videos
Chris, thank you for the friendship, the competition, the laughter and everything you have contributed to the San Diego Argonauts. The pond will not be quite the same without you.
Until we meet again—and whenever you win a race back in Australia, know that your Argonauts friends will be cheering:
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!
Video courtesy of Steve Ross:
Videos courtesy of Steve Ross:
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:
Our 2026 racing season began with the DF95 Class RD’d by Craig Mackey.
Next up was the IOM Class RD’d by Keith Sternal.
Special thanks to Steve Ross & Pat Nevitt for the fabulous Video & Commentary!
It looks like we are getting into a fall/winter wind pattern here in San Diego. Storms followed by high pressure and off shore flow seem to dominate at this time of the year. Fortunately our pond still provides light onshore wind that keep our yachts moving. (mostly!)
We had a good day of sailing with both classes completing 6 races each. Special thanks to our two ad hoc RD’s, Tom Warren and Kerim Baran. We could not play this game without you! Also thanks to Jess Atkinson, Chris Davidson and Bill Bridge for setting courses and clean-up.
Chris Davidson has returned from Oz.. Check the score card! Welcome back Chris!!
Zero to Ten… but mostly Zero from WNW. Those were the winds for the Argonauts’ final day of racing in 2024. While the day was sunny and pleasantly warm, sailing conditions were once again… fluky. The DF95’s went first with RD Ty Beach selecting mostly medium courses.
Next, it was the IOMs’ turn. RD Craig Mackey called medium courses, but ended with a short course to get the sailboats off the pond in time for the Scaler’s Christmas Parade of Lights.
Fall is here in San Diego! Temperatures in the mid-60’s, plenty of sun, but WEIRD winds. Plenty of breeze from (mostly) the west, but monster shifts and a few cavernous holes made for VERY tough sailing conditions. Gerry Wold was our Race Director Du Jour for both the IOM’s and the DF95’s. Gerry chose a combination of standard Medium and Long courses for both classes. Tacks and downwind lines were chosen at great peril. Often, skippers found themselves becalmed as boats sailed past them on both sides within a mere few feet!
