About Photon
Photon is a high-performance Nelson/Marek 39 campaigning on Lake Michigan, based in the Chicago racing scene. Built for speed and precision, Photon is one of the fastest boats on the lake and competes regularly in the region's premier distance and buoy races.
About our Campaign
Our program focuses on the major Chicago and Lower Lake Michigan events, with a commitment to strong preparation, smart sailing, and continuous improvement. We race hard, but we also value teamwork, learning, and the shared pursuit of getting the most out of both the boat and ourselves.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to build a competitive, committed, and inclusive sailing team that consistently performs at the highest level in Chicago and Great Lakes racing—pushing the limits of our boat, our skills, and ourselves while fostering teamwork, learning, and a shared passion for racing.
Our Strategy
1. Prepare Relentlessly
We believe strong results come from disciplined preparation. From rig setup and sail selection to race planning, we focus on doing the fundamentals exceptionally well before the starting gun ever fires.
2. Build a Consistent, Committed Team
Performance comes from continuity. We prioritize regular participation and shared responsibility so trust, communication, and instincts develop over time. A stable crew makes the boat faster.
3. Race Smart and Sail Clean
We value smart decision-making, clean maneuvers, and minimizing unforced errors. We aim to win through consistency, awareness, and execution rather than risky hero moves.
4. Be Data-Driven and Always Improving
We collect and use data—on boat speed, sail setup, maneuvers, and race outcomes—to understand what actually makes us faster. Post-race debriefs turn observations into insights, and insights into measurable improvement.
5. Build a Team People Want to Be Part Of
We foster an environment built on respect, accountability, and shared purpose. Strong results come from teams that enjoy showing up, learning together, and pushing each other to be better.
Leadership
Photon is owned by Dean Doman and Gareth Reeves, both lifelong sailors with deep experience on the water. Dean has been sailing and racing since childhood and also owns a cruising boat based in Michigan City. Gareth has over 20 years of sailing experience across a wide range of boats and disciplines, along with a lifelong passion for wind- and water-based sports. Together, they bring a balance of competitive drive, technical understanding, and respect for seamanship that defines the Photon program.
Our Vision
We are actively building a strong, committed team with the goal of being consistently competitive in the Chicago racing scene—on the water, on the dock, and across every mile of the course.