FMS Tallulah defends title at Navy Regatta in close contest

The Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support's Electronics Directorate's 'Tallulah' cruised backwards to victory at the annual Navy Regatta Oct. 8 by a close margin, signaling their multi-year dominance of the event at the Defense Supply Center Columbus' Eagle Eye Golf Course pond.

The champion vessel, designed to mimic a Jamaican bobsled was piloted by DLA Weapons Support Contract Specialists Jamie White and Ryan Collier.

Coming in a forward pointing close second was the Navy Talent Acquisition Group's 'La Marmota,' piloted by Navy Lt. Motes and Navy Chief Dellinger. Third place honors went to the Pathways to Career Excellence program's 'Pacer 28,' fielded by 'The Pit Crew' consisting of DLA Weapons Support Contract Specialists Eleanor Lamb and David Kovaleski.

Hosted by DLA Weapons Support, the cardboard boat race celebrated the Navy's 251st birthday in sinking, swimming sailing and frantic paddling style.

Thirteen teams started the day with high hopes that their themed boats made of nothing but cardboard and duct tape would stand up to the challenge ahead: surviving a preliminary heat and if they were lucky enough to stay afloat and come out on top there, a final heat to determine the ultimate winner. Each heat also had the added challenge of ducking a barrage of soft-shelled 'munitions' in the form of water balloons thrown from more than 100 spectators surrounding the course.

DLA Weapons Support leadership bestowed the Spirit Award to 'Built to MIL-SPEC-ish,' fielded by DLA Weapons Support's Marine Corps contingent and the Titanic Award for the most spectacular sinking went to the Ohio Army National Guard's 'CSMS C&E' which barely got out of the starting gate.

The People's Champion also went to the 'Pacer 28' car-shaped boat, who wowed the workforce in preliminary judging with its unique design and detail.

The event, traditionally held on or close to the Navy's Oct. 13 birthday, returned after a one-year hiatus. This year's birthday theme is "Unwavering Vigilance, Unmatched Lethality," highlighting the Navy's commitment to standing watch and deterring adversaries.

Unlike a real naval battle, this friendly but fierce competition began with an official kickoff. DLA Weapons Support Resolution Specialist Lisa Griffin performed the National Anthem, followed by welcome remarks from DLA Weapons Support Commander Navy Rear. Adm. Julie Treanor.

DLA Weapons Support's Navy Cdr. Leanne Riley and Navy Lt. Josie Perry served as the event's co-emcees. Wearing fake mustaches in honor of a previous announcer, they took turns introducing the competitors to selected 'walk-up' music as the teams marched to the water with their cardboard vessels.

The championship heat was followed by a brief awards ceremony and a traditional cake cutting. Treanor, joined by the youngest and oldest Navy personnel in attendance, used a military sword to slice the birthday cake. The oldest Sailor present was Navy Cdr. Ryan Decker of NTAG and the youngest was Navy Lt. j.g. Natora Landers, a supply officer for DLA Weapons Support.

2026 boats, crews and standings

Boats

Boat: The Moat Goat
Piloted by: Amphibious Capability aka Col. Lee Akers and MSgt. Margaret Heater
Representing: Air Force

Boat: Built to MIL-SPEC-ish (2026 Spirit Award)
Piloted by: Mr. Cyphers and Sgt. Dawn Wang
Representing: Ohio Army National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop

Boat: Bruce
Piloted by: Shark Bait, aka Caroline Priest and Lyssa Walker
Representing: Commodities

Boat: The Destroyers
Piloted by: Michael Lanning and Patrick Showalter
Representing: CPI Division

Boat: FMS Tallulah (2026 Champion)
Piloted by: Jamie White and Bryan Collier
Representing: Electronics - formerly Maritime Supplier Ops

Boat: The Hydro-Slicers
Piloted by: Jessica Bowers and Kayla Buchannan
Representing: BP and FLBB

Boat: CSMS C&E (2026 Titanic Award)
Piloted by: Thomas Shepherd and Brian Watkins
Representing: Ohio Army National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop and Civil Engineers

Boat: La Marmota (2nd Place)
Piloted by: Lt. Motes, Chief Dellinger
Representing: Navy Talent Acquisition Group

Boat: Pacer 28 (2026 People's Champion, 3rd Place)
Piloted by: The Pit Crew aka Eleanor Lamb and David Kovaleski
Representing: Pathways to Career Excellence Center

Boat: Pirates of the FARRR-ibbean
Piloted by: Maj. Zach Shutte and Katelyn Young
Representing: Commodities/Army

Boat: USS Ship Show
Piloted by: Lt. Cdr. Lupi Mariana, Lt. j.g. Natora Landers
Representing: Navy

Boat: The Warfighters
Piloted by:Jeremiah Horton and Marco Catalanzuniga
Representing: 4th Marine Corps Recruiting District

Standings

Heat 1 winner: Built to MIL-SPEC-ish

Heat 2 winner: La Marmota

Heat 3 winner: Pacer 28

Heat 4 winner: FMS Tallulah

Championship Heat

First Place: FMS Tallulah

Second Place: La Marmota

Third Place: Pacer 28