Radio-Controlled DF95 2025 Nationals Set to Take Place at Sail Newport
by Sail Newport 23 Nov 07:34 PST
October 16-19, 2025
Remote-controlled model sailboats will race in front of Sail Newport © Dave Hansen / Sail Newport
Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s public sailing center, has been chosen to host a significant national sailing event next year with the remote-controlled DragonFlite95 (DF95) National Championship. The regatta is scheduled for October 16-19, 2025, marking Newport’s first radio-controlled national championship.
“The DF95 USA Executive Board is thrilled to partner with Sail Newport and Executive Director Brad Read for what promises to be the premier radio sailing regatta of 2025. The DF95 USA class has transitioned from competitive one-design racing to becoming one of the most popular and competitive radio sailing fleets in the country,” commented Chuck LeMahieu (McKinney, TX), a member of the DF95 Executive Board and the U.S. DF95 distributor.
Organized by Sail Newport in collaboration with The Newport Model Sailing Club (NMSC), the 2025 DF95 National Championship will feature 60 of the nation’s best one-design radio control sailors. The DF95 Class permits a maximum of 60 boats for their Nationals event, with each skipper having qualified from various regional competitions across the U.S. The racing will be intense as boats compete in rotating flights, utilizing the promotion/relegation scoring system.
“Our stringent qualifying process for the Nationals reflects the immense popularity of the DF95 fleet across all regions of the USA. Newport, Rhode Island, is the epicenter of sailing in America, and we are honored to have this iconic venue host the most actively sailed radio sailing class in the USA,” added LeMahieu.
Depending on the wind conditions, the 95cm model boats will race off Sail Newport in Fort Adams State Park, either close to the shore or in nearby areas, offering excellent viewing opportunities.
Competitors will represent every region of the U.S., and international sailors will also be invited. The age range of participants is from 16 to 90 years old.
Notable sailors expected at the 2025 nationals include two-time defending DF95 USA National Champion Peter Feldman (Harrison Township, MI), who recently achieved a top-five finish at the International One Metre (IOM) world championships. Feldman also won the prestigious Jack Brown Trophy while sailing a DF95 at last year’s U.S. Sailing Championship of Champions regatta.
Other highly ranked DF95 skippers may comprise previous DF95 USA National Champions Mark Golison (Long Beach, CA) and Dennis Rogers (San Diego, CA), alongside Steve Landeau (Pooler, GA), Sean Fidler (Brighton, MI), Tony Gonsalves (Hollywood, FL), and Ken Read (Portsmouth, RI), who have all finished in the top five of previous DF95 Nationals and IOM USA Nationals.
The DF95 is recognized as the fastest-growing radio-controlled one-design sailboat globally. Sail Newport takes pride in helping expand the class, selling nearly 100 boats in the Newport area since 2020. The NMSC was founded during the 2020 pandemic and has rapidly expanded. On typical winter weekends, between ten to 25 enthusiastic “thumb sailors” can be found at Sail Newport competing on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
“This type of racing is incredibly enjoyable. It sharpens your skills for other types of sailing! I’ve had the pleasure of attending several DF95 events, including a national championship, and the level of competition is remarkable,” stated Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport.
“We eagerly anticipate welcoming DF95 sailors from across the country to Newport and Sail Newport,” Read continued.
