News

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...
Cheers to Melges 15 Rolex Yachtsman & Yachtswoman of the Year Nominees
The Melges 15 Class is excited to congratulate four of its members as Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year nominees. Class Coach Paris Henken, Monica Morgan, Travis Odenbach, and 2021 Rolex winner, Harry Melges IV are among the list of Melges 15 sailors nominated for the 2024 award. These nominations celebrate not only their individual achievements on the water but also underscore the unique value of the Melges 15 as a premier cross-training platform.  Designed as the ultimate crossover boat, the Melges 15 enables sailors to excel across various... Read more...
Charters Available for Melges 15 European Championship
Charter reservations are live for the 2025 Melges 15 European Championship July 10-13, 2025, in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin. The event is being held in conjunction with the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta, Ireland’s largest sailing event, which celebrates its 10th edition over 20 years. With a dozen charter boats available, the Melges 15 European Championships are expected to draw sailors from around the world. Over 40 boats are expected to compete, making this a significant milestone for the class as the largest European event to date. The championship schedule includes three... Read more...
Inaugural Melges 15 European Championship Scheduled for Summer 2025
The Melges 15 Class is thrilled to announce the inaugural Melges 15 European Championships, set to take place in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, July 10-13, 2025. This event will be a highlight of the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta , Ireland’s largest sailing event, which celebrates its 10th edition over 20 years next July. The Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta, held biennially, is expected to attract sailors from over 400 boats, ranging from high-performance racing yachts to coastal classics, competing across multiple courses in the iconic waters of Dublin Bay. With a dozen... Read more...
2024-25 Melges 15 Winter Series Launches with 66 Teams
The Melges 15 Class successfully launched the 2024-25 Winter Series at the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, Florida with a new November event the weekend before Thanksgiving. Attracting 66 teams from across the nation, this debut event marked a fantastic start to the season. Ahead of the weekend's regatta, Class Coach Paris Henken hosted an intensive two-day racing clinic, drawing over 20 teams for on-water drills in winds up to 25 knots and shoreside debriefs. Using video footage captured by drones and coach boats, sailors received detailed feedback to... Read more...
Melges 15 Winter Series Debuts at New Merritt Island Venue
The Melges 15 Class has launched the 2024-25 Winter Series at the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, Florida. This November event, a brand-new addition to the series, has attracted 66 teams from across the nation, marking a strong start to the season. Kicking off the week, Class Coach Paris Henken led an intensive two-day racing clinic, where over 20 teams participated in on-water drills and training sessions. Each day concluded with shoreside debriefs featuring video footage, offering sailors in-depth performance analysis. “The coaches had drones and coach boats, and... Read more...
Introducing Melges 15 Class Coach Paris Henken
The Melges 15 Class welcomes Paris Henken as its Class Coach for the 2024-25 Winter Season. Henken, a 2016 Olympian in the 49erFX Class and an accomplished sailor, will lead the winter clinics and debriefs.  Having a Class Coach is a fantastic opportunity for sailors to sharpen their skills with one of the best in the sport. With an impressive sailing career, including a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in the 49erFX, multiple College National Championships titles, three-time All-American, and 2021 Quantum Women's College Sailor of the... Read more...
Brant Beach Yacht Club to Host 2025 Melges 15 U.S. Nationals
The Melges 15 Class is excited to announce the 2025 U.S. National Championship, October 3-5, hosted by Brant Beach Yacht Club in New Jersey. Building on the class’s phenomenal growth—now boasting over 900 boats sold—next year’s championship is primed to shatter records, with a heavy concentration of participants from the thriving East Coast fleet. John Barbano, Regatta Chair, shared his enthusiasm for the event, “The Melges 15 Class has set the bar for participation, inclusivity, and how it embraces technology. We’re so excited to host this prestigious event, and we... Read more...