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 of the newest Melges 15 owners, siblings Morgan and Emily Paxhia from San Diego, CA, who chartered a boat to immerse themselves in the class culture.
“Vela LA did a demo day in the Fall, and within the first 30 minutes of sailing the boat we were like we gotta get one of these. We have a core group of buyers, including ourselves, and we’re building a program down there - weeknight racing, local events, and there’s a whole Cal State Championship being organized, which is great,” said Morgan. “Since September, we’ve been discussing some events we could do to familiarize ourselves with the boat and the class. We thought this event would be a great chance to get out and learn more about the boat and be around a big fleet. It’s super easy to charter a boat - it makes it great for West Coast folks or really people coming from anywhere to come down and be able to sail.”
The first day of racing featured a shifting easterly breeze at 7-15 knots—just enough for sailors to enjoy exhilarating downwind planing. As Sara Morgan Watters (MD) put it, “That’s really what we’re here for.”
Welch and Martin set the tone early, winning Race One. The Paxhias found their rhythm and claimed victory in Race Two, while the Haigs secured Race Three. With Sunday’s forecast predicting lighter conditions, PRO AJ Schweda pushed for four races to ensure a full regatta. Fittingly, Race Four was won by his son, Cole Schweda, sailing with Hank Seum.
After a long day on the water, competitors were welcomed ashore with cold drinks, hot pizza, and music. Coach Henken led a debrief as sailors relaxed on the beach, reviewing the day’s highlights.
As forecasted, Day Two began with light air. However, the Race Committee managed to squeeze in a single race as the breeze filled in. Ryan Keenan and Ava Cohen, currently sitting second in the Overall Series standings, claimed the fifth and final race.
Consistency proved key to Welch and Martin’s success. With finishes of 5-2-11-2, they secured the regatta win. We couldn’t make any mistakes and had to try not to be too risky—especially on the starting line,” said Welch.
He added, “The guy sailing with the two girls, with three people, was just awesome to see. We were talking about it all weekend!”
Coming in at a combined weight of 305 pounds, 11-year-old Clara Reali skippered with her father, Kevin, and friend, Kaitlin Thomley, representing the first boat to compete with three people at a Class-sanctioned event. Thomley handled the jib on the upwind and sheeted the main upwind while Reali trimmed the spinnaker downwind.
“I think the tendency is to put the kid in the front of the boat, but if you give the kid the tiller, there’s a lot of physicality that the adult can manhandle in the rest of the boat. If people are curious, don’t be afraid to let the kid drive,” said Kevin.
Full results and photos are available on melges15.com. The Winter Series concludes with the Midwinter Championship March 21-23. Coach Paris Henken will lead an intensive two-day clinic before the final regatta of the series. Charter boats are sold out for the event, but new boats are available for Summer 2025.
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 clinics provide a great opportunity for learning and growth, maximizing time on the water. We believe they’ve been the highlight of the weekend. Adi even said she would come just for the clinics, regardless of whether there was a regatta or racing!”
Since opening in September 2024, the Melges Watersports Center has quickly become a hub for sailing and watersports. This weekend marks the ninth regatta hosted at the facility. In addition to competitive events, the Center offers educational opportunities such as foiling camps and introduction to racing classes. Members of the Center can also enjoy weeknight racing, and kayak and paddleboard rentals are available for hourly or daily use.
The Center maintains a fleet of charter boats, making it an accessible option for sailors traveling to the area. Morgan and Emily Paxhia (CA), part of the growing San Diego fleet, have taken advantage of the charter program just a week after the purchase of their new boat.
“Chartering was a great way to participate in an East Coast event while continuing to build our fleet in San Diego,” said Emily. “The Melges team makes the process incredibly easy. The Watersports Center is an outstanding platform for getting sailors on the water, no matter where they come from.”
Momentum is also building overseas, with the Melges 15 recently announced as the platform for the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club’s prestigious Endeavour Trophy this October in Essex, UK. The invitation-only event will feature some of Europe’s top sailing talent.
Overall Series frontrunner Cole Schweda (WI) holds a substantial lead and had a strong showing at last weekend’s Sailing World Regatta Series event in St. Petersburg, FL. Meanwhile, Leopold Brandl and Olivia Tuzel (NY), Jack Sutton and Austin Ando (SC), and Ryan Keenan and Ava Cohen (FL) are all aiming for a top-three position ahead of the Midwinter Championship in March.
The Winter Series Event 3 will feature two action-packed days of racing on February 22-23, with results, photos, and videos available at melges15.com. For more information about the Melges Watersports Center and its offerings, visit melgeswatersports.com.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2025 EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP
2024 East Coast Championship in Annapolis, MD
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 to reorganize Centerport Yacht Club's most passionate racers, several members agreed to jump into the Melges 15 together. A number of design aspects drew us in, and the experience has been better than any of us imagined,” said Regatta Chair and 2023 U.S. National Champion, John Storck.
“The boat has been a wonderful platform for our diverse fleet to thrive and grow. We are thrilled to host the 2025 ECCs and welcome everyone to our Club, nestled in beautiful Northport Bay.”
Three days of racing are scheduled alongside shoreside parties and a fleet dinner.
The U.S. Championship Series consists of class-sanctioned events aimed at elevating competition, supporting regional fleets, and fostering camaraderie among racers.:
Midwinter Championship March 21-23 • Merritt Island, FL • Melges Watersports Center
Inland Championship July 21-August 1 • Excelsior, MN • Minnetonka Yacht Club
Great Lakes Championship August 22-24 • Charlevoix, MI • Charlevoix Yacht Club
West Coast Championship September 13-14 • Marina del Rey, CA • California Yacht Club
U.S. National Championship October 3-5 • Long Beach Township, NJ • Brant Beach Yacht Club
Fleet-building promotions are available for 2025. Click here to request a quote for a new boat, or email eddie@melges.com to schedule a demo at your club.
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.” Cohen plans to attend Henken’s alma mater, College of Charleston, in Fall 2025.
Cohen crewed for Ryan Keenan (FL), who added, “It’s easy to sail up to her right after a race and get some advice or ask questions about different settings or scenarios. I’ve been part of this fleet for three years, and it’s really nice to have this level of support.”
The cool temperatures brought in a nice 12-15 knots with puffs up to 20, pushing teams into full planing mode on Day One. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year finalist Travis Odenbach (NY) and Hannah Lee Noll (FL) cruised across the finish line in Race 1, exceeding 16+ knots. Race 2 was claimed by overall event winners Austin Ando and Jack Sutton (SC), with Race 3 awarded to youth team Adam Biwer (WI) and Martha Hughes (MN), and Race 4 won by Ricky Welch and Mitchell Martin (MS).
“With the distance-to-line, there wasn’t any line sag, so you’re fighting for your spot in every race,” explained Ando. “ While the fleet is competitive, it’s still a fun, relaxed vibe. The more the merrier!”
“The fact that we can fit 100 boats on a line is just an amazing experience because you’re racing against so many different levels of competition that you could go from the back of the fleet all the way to the front of the fleet depending on how you work your way through it,” said Eliot Caple (MD), crewing for Top Grand Master Scott Steele.
Day Two of the event started much lighter, in the range of six knots, offering sore sailors some reprieve from hiking. Two quick races introduced a throwout to shake the leaderboard, securing Austin Ando and Jack Sutton’s overall win. Alex and Lorie Stout stole the show in Race 5, putting on a MasterClass on light-air tactics, big-fleet maintenance, and patience. The final race of the regatta went to Event 1 winner Cole Schweda (WI), with crew Hank Seum.
“I missed out on the youth sailing circuit, so this is by far the biggest fleet I’ve ever sailed in. We’re sailing with people I raced against in college, national champions, and world champions,” added Ando’s crew, Jack Sutton (SC). “If you’re not drinking the Kool-Aid, you’re missing out!”
Full results and photos are available on melges15.com. The Winter Series continues with Event 3 February 22-23, and the Midwinter Championship March 21-23. Coach Paris Henken will lead clinics before each regatta. Charter boats are available for the remaining events and can be reserved on melgeswatersports.com.
Footage highlights from Day One.
Hop onboard with Esteban Forrer & Jeremy Herrin for Race 3 of the 2024-25 Melges 15 Winter Series Event 2 with 109 boats.
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 this weekend's big fleet sailing.:
Holding a Lane After a Start
Things to be thinking about when getting off the start line and holding a lane:
Remembering that you’ll most likely be in a “high mode” after a start (unless you have room to leeward to work with) as everyone is eager to establish their lane and execute a plan
Set the boat up for more “power” (condition dependent) but realize you need as much power as the boat and your team can handle so you can ensure you are coming off the line in the front row with speed
Trim the sails accordingly - make sure you keep in check with A) your main leech telltales so you ensure they aren’t stalling, especially on lighter days, and B) you are in the correct range on the jib sheet trim, which should be found during your pre-race routine
Avoid steering too much during crucial moments - we are too eager to react with the rudder during times when we can keep the rudder straight and use our weight and sails more to achieve the same thing. Especially when sailing in a tight lane, try hard not to move the rudder too much, as it will increase drag and slow you down.
A flat boat is a fast boat - unless you need a little bit of leeward heel because of the lighter conditions, you want to make sure you are sailing your boat flat
Prioritizing big lanes when it’s important
Communicating to your teammate that you might be losing your lane EARLY talking about exit plan based on your predetermined plan (not forgetting to think BIG PICTURE)
Big Starting Line Tips:
Break the start line into quadrants - we are accustomed to either starting at the boat, middle or pin, but with a large line you can think about splitting the line into 4 different quadrants and focusing more on the “pack” you started with then worrying about the whole fleet
We have Vakaros RaceSense - you know how far away you are from the line, but without the Vakaros RaceSense realize that they will be line sag in the middle of the line 3. Starting near an end - might be easier to get clear if your lane gets compromised then if you were in the middle quadrants
Read this article from Andy Burdick: Winning Tips for 100 Boat Regattas
Downwind Strategy Tips:
K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid!
Are we in offensive or defense?
Risk vs. Reward
Top half:
Manage the panic - take a deep breath
Keep it simple
How much risk can I take?
Your plan is most likely dictated by the wind conditions and your initial plan you made before the start and not by other boats
If you are winning the race - 98% of the time we never gybeset UNLESS there is a damn good reason too. Gybesetting as the lead boat creates too much risk
Bottom half:
There is more risk to be taken BUT take that risk early
Create leverage
Try to sail “free” - try to keep clear of other boats when making decisions and moves. The closer you are to other boats or “packs” the more the wind will be disturbed, and you’ll sail slower around others than by yourself
1st Leg Mentality vs 2nd Leg Mentality
Are we throwing the ball for a hail mary pass AKA creating more risk, creating more leverage to
try and pass a big group of boats
OR
Are we running the ball for a potential couple yards gained AKA focused more on what pack we are sailing against instead of the whole fleet and we are trying to pass boats 1-by-1
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, couples, and seasoned racers—will come together for a weekend of world-class racing and camaraderie.
“This level of turnout is incredible and speaks to the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the Melges 15,” said Eddie Cox, Melges. “With over 100 boats on the line, this event is a showcase of the mass appeal of the Melges 15 and how suitable the Melges Watersports Center is for large fleets.”
Nestled on Florida’s scenic Space Coast, the Melges Watersports Center provides direct beach access, easy launching, and consistent wind conditions, earning high praise from participants.
“Racing here is a dream,” said Ella Wisely (MN). “It’s easy to focus on performance when everything runs so smoothly, and the atmosphere is so welcoming.”
With 112 Melges 15s, the level of competition is expected to reach new heights. Top performers from Event 1—including Cole Schweda, Emily Haig, and Leopodl Brandl—are set to return alongside a host of new challengers eager to make their mark.
The Melges 15 Class has long been celebrated for its diversity and multigenerational appeal. This event in particular showcases 25% youth skippers, 25% parent-child teams, 20% female skippers, and 40% of skippers over the age of 50.
“The fleet’s diversity is part of what makes this class so special,” said Scott Barbano (NJ). “It’s exciting to see so many sailors from different backgrounds coming together for an event of this scale.”
Teams are traveling from 22 states and Canada to compete. Driving more than 1,000 miles from Houston, TX, Sean Curry is attending his first Melges 15 Winter Series event.
“I moved to Texas last year and have been really interested in the Melges 15 from the start. Now, I’m the fleet captain at Houston Yacht Club, and one of our fellow members was kind enough to help send a team here,” Curry said. “Normally, I race keelboats, but even then, it’s nothing like this fleet. I haven’t seen a lineup like this since junior sailing.”
Event 2 will feature two action-packed days of racing, with results, photos, and videos shared on melges15.com. For more information about the Melges Watersports Center and its offerings, visit melgeswatersports.com.
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. Here are some of his top tips to help you make the most of your next Melges 15 regatta.
Andy Burdick: Some of my major wins have come in fleets with over 100 boats on the starting line. Over 100 boats sounds overwhelming, but there are some simple points to apply to navigate the chaos and achieve your best results.
During your pre-start routine, keep your boat on the starting line or even slightly above the line. Do not let your boat get below the line and into the mass of other boats. Stay above the line so that you have a sense of where the actual start line is; this also allows you to see upwind. You want to start in the best wind pressure off the start. Look up the body of water and determine where the best wind is. Be above the line and then dip down 90 seconds before the actual start. Start in wind!
Start in the front row and get clear air - it is mandatory! Position your boat in clear air right away. If you are new to the Melges 15 Class or starting in big fleets, start at the windward end of the start line and tack out right away. Instant clear air. If you have great boat handling, duck and weave through traffic to achieve clear air. The easiest thing is to start in the front row. Focus on speed and achieve clear air this way. Your result will be determined by your start. There may be 107 boats on the line, but only two boats are close to you off the starting line–the boat above you and the boat below! You must beat these boats off the line.
Never sail slow. That’s obvious, right? However, major mistakes occur at the top and bottom marks. Keep these points in mind:
When approaching the windward mark, position your boat for ultimate speed. So many boats will make the mistake of tacking too close to other boats, pinching to make the mark. In this scenario, fouls happen; you go slow and get rolled by windward boats, people hit marks, or even get hung up on marks. You cannot do this–it’s too big of a risk. You are better off sailing clean, a bit beyond the layline, coming in fast, and then hoisting your spinnaker in the “Passing Lane” – a higher lane than the boats below. Approach with speed.
The same principle holds true for the leeward mark. How often do we get in a cluster of boats, and they dictate our sailing angle? You will always sail lower and slower in that group as you approach the leeward mark. All of us are “trying” to make the leeward mark. Never sail slow! Be aware of this scenario halfway down the run and position your boat so that you have clear air and can come into the leeward mark (gates) at full speed. Keep the speed up through your takedown; it will help you get into a good leeward mark position for a fast exit.
Stay powered up if you are in tight lanes with other boats. Hike hard, look for opportunities to point, and get into a clean lane with clear air. Tack out for freedom if need be. Don’t let other boats dictate your result. Look for less traffic, fewer boats, and clear air.
Embrace the challenge. Nothing is better than approaching the finish and looking back at a 100+ boat fleet. Set your goals—whether it’s a race win, top ten, or top half. Whatever your goal is, enjoy the fact that you have an opportunity to sail in a big fleet with a number of really good sailors and friends. Enjoy the success of the Melges 15 and the people involved. Embrace it. Enjoy it.