Congratulations to Argonauts Commodore Jess Atkinson who will be GIVEN THE CHAIR for winning the 2026 Dragon Flite 95 Region 8 Travelers Trophy! (His personalized Lounge Chair will be presented at the first race of the 2027 season at the Long Beach Yacht Club.)
The latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio is now available, and it may be our most ambitious episode yet.
In Episode 10, SD Argonauts’ Commodore Jess Atkinson sits down with three of America’s top International One Metre (IOM) skippers to discuss their experiences competing at the 2026 IOM World Championship in Datchet, England, just outside London.
This special episode features in-depth interviews with:
Together, these conversations provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most competitive radio sailing events in the world.
Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-american-skippers-take-us-behind-the-scenes-of/id1874110517
Brian Shore shares the remarkable story of qualifying for the Worlds after only a handful of IOM regattas and achieving an impressive Top-10 finish. He discusses the challenges of competing against former world champions, adapting to the demanding conditions at Datchet Reservoir, and navigating the intense scrutiny of international measurement inspections.
Peter Feldman reflects on his outstanding fourth-place finish, the mental and tactical challenges of choosing the correct rig in constantly changing conditions, and the preparation required to compete at the highest level of international radio sailing. His insights into fleet management, race strategy, and the grind of a six-day championship offer valuable lessons for sailors of every level.
Gary Boell brings the perspective of one of America’s most experienced international IOM competitors, having represented the United States at World and European Championships for well over a decade. Gary discusses how far the American IOM program has progressed, the camaraderie among the ten U.S. skippers competing in England, and the pride of seeing four American boats sailing in the championship’s final A-Fleet race.
One of the recurring themes throughout the episode is the continued rise of American IOM sailing. The United States fielded one of its strongest teams ever, with multiple skippers competing at the front of the fleet throughout the event and several finishing among the world’s elite.
The interviews highlight not only the sailing itself, but also the preparation, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication required to compete successfully on the world stage. From equipment tuning and rig selection to long race days and international competition, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes to race among the best sailors in the world.
Episode 10 also includes:
Whether you’re an active racer, a casual sailor, or simply curious about what it takes to compete at the highest levels of radio sailing, this episode offers a rare inside look at the world’s premier IOM event through the eyes of three accomplished American skippers.
A special thank you to Brian Shore, Peter Feldman, Gary Boell, and Dan Shier for sharing their time, insights, and experiences with the San Diego Argonauts community.
We hope you enjoy Episode 10 of San Diego Argonauts Radio.
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 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
See last page of NOR for Regatta Entry Form:
On Wednesday, April 1st, the San Diego Argonauts will host a special Spring Break field trip led by Coach Jon Rogers, bringing 6–12 junior Sabot racers to the pond for a hands-on introduction to RC sailing.
This event creates a rare bridge between full-scale youth sailing and the precision world of model yacht racing—giving young athletes a chance to experience tactics, wind reading, and race strategy from a completely new perspective.
The format is simple, fast-paced, and fun:
This is more than just a fun day—it’s a great opportunity to:
For many of these kids, this could be their first exposure to RC sailing—and possibly the start of a deeper connection to the sport.
We’re asking Argonauts members to help make this event a success:
Even showing up and supporting the event will go a long way in creating a great experience.
Interested in helping or lending a boat?
Please reach out to Jon at buenorogers @ gmail or simply join us at the pond on April 1st!
Keith Ives took top honors in the February 8th TT Event hosted by the Helmsmen Model Yacht Club under sunny skies and very light winds at El Dorado Park. Results and updated Travelers Trophy standings follow:
Congratulations to Jess Atkinson who won his 2nd straight Travelers Trophy Event at Estrella Lakes in Goodyear Arizona! Below are the results and updated Travelers Trophy standings:
