The 2026-27 Melges 15 Winter Series kicks off November 21-22 at the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, Florida, and this season every race carries a little more weight. Winter Series 1 is the first qualifying event for the inaugural Melges 15 Gold Cup, set for September 16-19, 2027 at Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in New Jersey.
The Winter Series has become one of the biggest one-design circuits in North America, with over 100 boats at each event. Now this fleet is also racing for a place at the class's first international championship.
How to earn your spot
The Gold Cup will feature 120 teams: 40 international teams and 80 US teams. US teams qualify through 10 regattas held across the country during the 2026-27 season.
At each qualifier, spots go to the highest-finishing American teams not already qualified. Winter Series 1 awards spots to the top 5 American teams, and all four Winter Series events are qualifiers, with 25 berths available across the series. A strong weekend in November can settle your Gold Cup plans before the holidays, and teams that don't qualify have more chances ahead.
International teams can request an invitation through the Gold Cup page.
The 2026-27 Winter Series
| Event | Racing | Gold Cup Berths |
| November 21-22,2026 | Top 5 American teams | |
| January 1-3, 2027 | Top 5 American teams not already qualified | |
| February 20-21, 2027 | Top 5 American teams not already qualified | |
| Midwinter Championship (Winter Series 4) | March 19-21, 2027 | Top 10 American teams not already qualified |
Sharpen up before the first gun
A one-day clinic runs before each winter series event, starting Friday, November 20 with Justin Assad. The day covers boat speed, tactics, and starts, with a morning brief, on-water coaching, and a debrief using drone video and data. Register for a clinic.
Make the trip easy
The Melges Watersports Center offers storage and transportation, plus on-site support all weekend. Register for Winter Series 1 and we'll see you on the Space Coast!