Ten J/22s took to Percy Priest Lake for the 2026 Galen Freeman Regatta, including three visiting boats from Atlanta and Indianapolis. The fleet was treated to a spectacular weekend of sailing with conditions that kept everyone on their toes. I am pretty sure we all needed Motrin on Monday morning!

Winds ranged from a brief lull near five knots to spirited bursts of 15 gusting 25, with the shifty Percy Priest breeze adding an extra layer of challenge. Scores varied widely across the fleet as sailors worked to crack the ever-changing conditions.

 

 

Results

Kyle Meyhoefer at the helm of Highlander out of Atlanta solved the puzzle better than anyone, taking the regatta title by a commanding seven-point margin. George Heintz aboard GoHogsGo finished second, with Jackson Miller rounding out the podium in third. The best thing about the regatta was the level of competitiveness — pretty much everybody had at least one great race!

 

Special Recognitions

The club took a moment to honor two people central to this event’s history and spirit.

Tony Giarratana was recognized for originating the regatta and sponsoring it for many years — a contribution that has given the club a signature annual event.

Galen Freeman, the regatta’s namesake, was honored for his decades of mentorship to J/22 sailors at Percy Priest and his long service to the club. In recognition of his contributions, Galen was awarded a Lifetime Honorary Membership — a well-deserved tribute to a cornerstone of our sailing community.

A Regatta Made Possible by Many Hands

The club showed up in full force to support a first-class event. Race Committee was led by Bruce and Ethel Berner from Eagle Creek Yacht Club in Indianapolis. Race Director Sam Beckman and Asset Manager Joe Campbell kept everything running smoothly. Richard Lewis ensured the facility was ready to go, and Kate Atanian delivered a wonderful breakfast for competitors both mornings. Registration and shirts were ably handled by Reggie and Naomi Tullos.

 

Race Committee members who made the racing possible:

• Iain Montgomery
• Sam Moss
• Jeremy Odom
• John Calvano
• Rob Bourquin
• Joe Campbell
• Shea Freeman
• Stuart Tathwell
• Paul Latour
• Ron Burt
• Siegfried Guenther
• Ricardo Machion (photography)
• Sam Beckman