National Regatta – San Diego Argonauts

The 2025 ODOM National Championship was hosted this September 6th & 7th at the iconic Spreckels Lake in San Francisco. The weather, venue, hosts, and camaraderie of competitors came together to make it a truly memorable weekend of racing.

Eighteen skippers lined up for a total of 23 races over two days, testing their skill against the famously shifty Spreckels winds. True to form, many found themselves “Spreckeled” more than a few times by the unpredictable shifts—but that’s part of the charm of this storied venue. With the sun out and temperatures hovering at an ideal 70–72 degrees, conditions couldn’t have been better.

The San Diego Argonauts sent four sailors north for the event, and proudly brought home four of the top five spots:

Jess Atkinson – 1st place, with a consistent and commanding performance
George Pedrick – 2nd place
Larry Grant – 3rd place
4th – Chris Davidson
5th – Kerim Baran

This strong showing was aided in part by the outstanding race management of the San Francisco Model Yacht Club. Several of SF’s top ODOM sailors chose to volunteer instead of race, and their professionalism elevated the event.

Each mark rounding had two dedicated judges, as did the start/finish line, in addition to the PRO and race director. The result was a regatta that ran with remarkable efficiency, fairness, and clarity.

The setting at Spreckels Lake was as picturesque as ever, with the historic San Francisco Model Yacht Club Boat House adding a timeless backdrop. Competitors and spectators alike enjoyed not just the high-quality racing, but also the sense of community that makes events like these special.