News

Regatta Report: SDYC Spring Dinghy
Regatta Report by Morgan Paxhia Emily and I first did a demo day on the Melges 15 in September 2024 at Mission Bay Yacht Club in San Diego, CA. Our sail was only about 30 minutes and we were instantly psyched about this boat we had been hearing so much about with the big East Coast fleets. Our initial impressions: fun, fast, and simple.  This past February, we chartered a boat for the Winter Series Event 2 out of the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL. We signed up... Read more...
2025 Melges 15 Great Lakes Championship Registration Open
Registration is open for the 2025 Melges 15 Great Lakes Championship August 22-24 at Charlevoix Yacht Club in Charlevoix, MI. Competitors can save $50 on the entry fee through July 20, 2025.  One year after the National Championship in Traverse City, the fleet is heading one hour north to compete in Charlevoix - a bustling harbor town with iconic beaches, towering sand dunes, and a charming downtown. Racing will be held on Lake Charlevoix, the third-largest inland lake in Michigan, with 56 miles of shoreline. “The Melges 15 has brought... Read more...
Emily & John Haig Win 2025 Melges 15 Midwinter Championship & Overall Series
Father-daughter duo Emily and John Haig (NJ) clinched victory at the 2025 Melges 15 Midwinter Championship March 21-23 at the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL. Their impressive performance secured not only the Midwinter Championship title but also their third overall Winter Series win. Competing against a stacked fleet of 96 teams from across the U.S., the Haigs demonstrated consistency and skill in the fourth and final event of the 2024-25 Winter Series. In total, more than 180 teams from 27 states traveled to the newly opened Melges Watersports... Read more...
Final Showdown of the Melges 15 Winter Series
The 2024-25 Melges 15 Winter Series celebrates a record-breaking season after welcoming 184 teams to four events. The series concludes with 92 teams competing for the Midwinter Championship at the Melges Watersports Center on March 21-23. Teams traveled from 27 states while New Yorkers flocked in droves to the Series, bringing a host of 18 teams from across the state. The crew of Jeff Sullivan, Billy Farmer, and Travis Odenbach (NY) send their boats south in a custom-built box trailer for the season.  “We only have to move the boats... Read more...
Welch & Martin Dominate Melges 15 Winter Series Event 3 as Competition Heats Up
The third event of the Melges 15 Winter Series saw 92 teams compete, shaking up the overall series standings. Ricky Welch and Mitchell Martin (MS) dominated the event, securing the overall win with an 18-point lead. Dueling father-daughter duos Dana and John Haig (NJ) and Mason and Mark Zagol (CT) claimed second and third place, respectively. Sailors traveled from 21 states across the U.S. to participate in a one-day clinic with Class Coach Paris Henken, followed by two days of competitive racing on Florida’s Space Coast. Among them were some... Read more...
94 TEAMS RALLY FOR EVENT 3 OF MELGES 15 WINTER SERIES
Ninety-four teams are set to compete in the third event of the Melges 15 Winter Series, taking place February 22-23, 2025, at the newly opened Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL. The regatta weekend kicks off with a one-day clinic on Friday, led by Class Coach Paris Henken and Melges Watersports Director, RJ Porter. Among the participants is 12-year-old Adi Lacroix (WI), who attended the previous two clinics and sails alongside her father, Josh. “Adi absolutely loves Paris, her coaching style, and the overall clinic experience,” said Josh. “These... Read more...
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2025 EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2150"] 2024 East Coast Championship in Annapolis, MD [/caption] Registration is open for the 2025 Melges 15 East Coast Championship May 30-June 1 at Centerport Yacht Club in Centerport, NY. Competitors can save on the entry fee through April 10, 2025.  Long Island has been a hotbed of activity for Melges 15 Class growth in 2024-25, with nearly two dozen new boats being delivered to American Yacht Club, Pequot Yacht Club, Noroton Yacht Club, and Indian Harbor Yacht Club.  “After years of searching for the right boat... Read more...
Melges 15 Winter Series Event 2 Shatters Records with 109 Boats
The Melges 15 Class broke registration records with 109 boats at the 2024-25 Winter Series Event 2 January 4-5, 2025. The regatta featured six races over two days at the new Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL.  Forty teams enrolled in a clinic spearheaded by Class Coach Paris Henken and assisted by Eddie Cox, Ripley Shelley, and Kyle Navin.  Third-place and top youth crew Ava Cohen (FL) said, “It’s inspiring to have a role model like Paris out here. She’s always looking out for everybody, which is super nice.”... Read more...
January Clinic Review from Coach Paris Henken
Each Melges 15 Winter Series regatta kicks off with a pre-regatta clinic hosted at the Melges Watersports Center. With 40 boats registered, this Friday, January 3, was the perfect opportunity to fine-tune skills in preparation for the intense big fleet sailing this weekend.  Coach Paris Henken was joined by Kyle Navin, Ripley Shelly, and Eddie Cox. Kyle and Ripley, fresh from their recent experience with the Youth Americas Cup Team, were excellent additions to the coaching staff. Here are Coach Paris’s key insights from today to help you excel in... Read more...
Record 112 Teams Set to Compete at Melges 15 Winter Series Event 2
The Melges 15 Class is celebrating another milestone at the 2024-25 Winter Series Event 2 January 4-5, drawing a record-breaking 112 registered entries—the largest turnout in class history. Hosted at the new Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL, this regatta marks a new chapter of growth and excitement for the dynamic fleet. Coming off a strong start at Event 1 in November, which drew 66 teams, this second event has nearly doubled in participation, showcasing the mass appeal of the Melges 15. Sailors from across the country—spanning youth, women,... Read more...
MasterClass: Winning Tips for 100-Boat Regattas
The Melges 15 has quickly gained popularity among sailors for its responsiveness and ease of handling, making it a favorite for fleet racing. The 2024-25 Winter Series is attracting a record-breaking 107 boats to its starting line in January, making it one of the largest one-design events in the country. Navigating a crowded starting line and competing effectively in a fleet of this size requires preparation and strategy. Andy Burdick from Melges has won over 80 championships during the course of his sailing career, spanning four decades in many classes.... Read more...
Announcing the 2025 Melges 15 Championship Series
The Melges 15 Class is excited to announce the 2025 Championship Series, featuring new dates and venues across the U.S. The six-event Series was designed to enhance competition, promote regional fleets, and foster camaraderie among racers. 2025 Melges 15 Championship Series Midwinter Championship - March 21-23, 2025 Melges Watersports Center • Merritt Island, FL  ( Charter - Register ) East Coast Championship - May 30-June 1, 2025 Centerport Yacht Club • Centerport, NY Inland Championship - July 31-August 2, 2025 Minnetonka Yacht Club • Excelsior, MN Great Lakes Championship -... Read more...