MAcLeod Edges Vowels by One in Tight 2026 Southeast Inland Championship
Lake Lanier, GA – The Lake Lanier Sailing Club (LLSC) delivered a picture-perfect stage for the 2026 Southeast Inland Championship, where 14 teams converged for a weekend defined by razor-thin margins, steady breeze, and classic Southern spring conditions.
Racing got underway on Saturday following a picture-perfect sunset skipper’s meeting on Friday evening, setting the tone for a regatta that balanced camaraderie ashore with intensity on the water. Over seven races, Lake Lanier delivered a full spectrum of conditions—sunshine, shifting pressure, and enough consistency to reward sharp, disciplined decision-making across the fleet.
When it was all said and done, local favorite Davis Macleod, helming Mojo, secured the overall victory by the narrowest of margins, finishing just one point ahead of visiting challenger Kyle Vowels aboard I’m With Stupid of Muskegon. The regatta remained wide open through the final races, with every position carrying weight in a fleet where consistency proved decisive.
“It feels incredible to win on our home lake,” said Macleod. “Melges 24 racing on Lake Lanier always keeps you on your toes—especially in a shifty east wind like we saw this weekend. You’re never truly out of it if you have good boat speed. We focused on staying disciplined—if we missed a shift, we resisted chasing it, held the lifted tack, and waited for the next oscillation to bring us back. That approach paid off several times.”
Rounding out the podium, another Lake Lanier regular, William Morang on Rapscallion, delivered a steady performance to secure third overall. Just behind, Seth Rosenthal’s Afterthought and Michael Kirschner’s Uncle Uncle completed the top five. Rosenthal claimed fourth on countback after finishing tied on 22 points—further underscoring just how competitive the fleet remained from top to bottom.
Macleod also credited his crew—Wheeler Sutton, David Reddaway, and Matt Simpson, specifically for their resilience throughout the weekend. After a pre-start mishap with a skyed main halyard just 30 minutes before the first race, the team stayed composed and resolved the issue with only minutes to spare, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.
The Southeast Inland Championship marked the fourth event in the Southeast Racing Series, which continues to build momentum, with over 42 boats already competing across the circuit this season. With strong participation, tight racing, and reliable conditions, Lake Lanier once again reinforced its reputation as one of the Southeast’s most scenic, yet fiercely competitive inland venues.
The U.S. Melges 24 Class extends its thanks to the Lake Lanier Sailing Club, race committee, and volunteers for delivering a flawless seven-race series. Led by PRO Ted McGhee, with support from his wife Dora and a dedicated team on and off the water, the event showcased the very best of inland one-design racing.
Full Results
Full Photo Gallery - Photos by Christopher Clark
With the inland championship now complete, attention shifts to the next major test on the calendar—Charleston Race Week at Patriot’s Point, April 16–19. There, deeper fleets, coastal conditions, and elevated stakes await. Twenty-four teams are already registered, setting the stage for one of the largest and most competitive events of the 2026 season as teams continue their progression toward the World Championship in Harbor Springs this September.
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