Introducing the Melges 15 Championship Series

The Melges 15 Class is excited to announce its Championship Series. These are class-sanctioned and Melges-supported events designed to enhance competition, promote regional activity, and foster camaraderie among racers. 

The Championship Series highlights the premiere annual events starting with the Winter Series and concluding with the National Championship. These events have historically attracted more than 60 boats, and highlight fleet development and a vibrant social scene. Starting in 2024, Melges 15 sailors will have a consistent annual event schedule to look forward to.

“Encouraging growth on a regional level can help to build stronger local fleets and create opportunities for more frequent racing and training,” explained Eddie Cox, Melges Performance Sailboats. “And fostering camaraderie among racers can create a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages more people to get involved in the sport.”

Join the Melges 15 Class on the water this summer! Click here to locate a dealer near you or email sales@melges.com to learn more about bringing a demo Melges 15 to your club.

2023 Championship Series

• Winter Series

  • January-March

  • Jensen Beach, FL

• Pacific Coast Championship

  • CGOD Regatta

  • July 28-30, 2023

  • Columbia Gorge Racing Association • Cascade Locks, OR

• Inland Championship

  • August 4-6, 2023

  • Inland Lakes Yachting Association • Clear Lake, IA

• East Coast Championship

  • Down Bay Invitational

  • August 12-13, 2023

  • Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club • Beach Haven, NJ

• Great Lakes Championship

  • Verve Inshore

  • August 25-27, 2023

  • Chicago Yacht Club • Chicago, IL

• National Championship

  • September 29-October 1, 2023

  • Sayville Yacht Club • Blue Point, NY

Johnson & Tell Crowned 2023 Melges 15 Midwinter Champions

The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series came to a thrilling conclusion this weekend in Jensen Beach, FL with the Midwinter Championship. Clay Johnson and Elizabeth Tell of New Jersey were crowned champions after a highly competitive series of eight races with 65 boats. Emily Haig and crew were named the top team in the overall series. 

Friday featured a full array of conditions starting with a calm morning and dialing up an exciting afternoon with the sea breeze. Geoff Becker and Monica Morgan led the day kicking off the event 1,1, 5.  

Day Two delivered much of the same conditions with a lighter 6 knots to start the day as the sea breeze filled in early afternoon piping up to 18-20 knots. The day finished with several contentious battles for first through fourth place matching points 1,2 and 3,4. A new leader emerged when Rochester Yacht Club’s Billy Farmer and Grace Benzal cracked the top ten and won race four. 

With six races completed, teams held out for the seventh race discard that would be sailed on Sunday. 

The sea breeze arrived early on Day Three delivering a steady 10-12 knots. With a tie still to be broken at the top between Johnson/Heller and Becker/ Morgan, a bullet in the final race took the New Jersey team to the top establishing a 7-point gap between them and second for the Annapolis-based Becker. Telmo Basterra and Ryan Wood rounded out the top three. 

The Melges 15 Class announced that it will be returning to Jensen Beach, FL for the 2024 Winter Series. The three events will take place January 6-7, February 24-25, and March 22-24, 2024.

Melges 15 Winter Series Returns to Jensen Beach in 2024

The Melges 15 Class is excited to announce that the Winter Series will be returning to Jensen Beach, FL in 2024. The three-event series will be hosted by the Class at the US Sailing Center of Martin County. With its fabulous breeze and stunning beaches, Jensen Beach is primed for great racing. 

Save the dates for the 2024 Winter Series:

• Event 1 January 6-7, 2024

• Event 2 February 24-25, 2024

• Midwinter Championship March 22-24, 2024

JOIN THE ACTION
With more than 60 boats on the line at each event, the Melges 15 is one of the most popular classes you can join. Email sales@melges.com to schedule a demo at your club and join the action!

Melges 15 Class Prepares for Final Showdown of 2023 Winter Series

The Melges 15 Class is in Jensen Beach, FL for the Midwinter Championship, the third of the 2023 Winter Series. Sixty-seven boats are set to compete at the final event in what has been a record-breaking season for participation. 

More than 100 teams from 25 states traveled south to compete in the series. But it’s not just mass registration that has drawn media attention, it’s the diversity of the sailors. At the previous event, 60% of the top 10 teams were female sailors and 40% of those same teams were in the 50+ divisions.

“The camaraderie within this class is unmatched and it’s great to see such diversity within the fleet. Husbands sailing with their wives, kids with their parents, college students, the list goes on,” said Allison Simkins, who sails with her husband Brian. “Not coming from a sailing background, the M15 has been a great introduction to the competitive sailing environment. It’s one of the most friendly and welcoming groups that I’ve been a part of.”

With sales booming globally, Melges is celebrating nearly 600 Melges 15s sold since May 2020. The newest fleet to join the frenzy is based in Dublin, Ireland. With the worldwide launch and boats readily available, overseas event planning is underway.  

Follow the action from the three-day event starting Friday, March 24 on the Melges Facebook and Instagram accounts. Results will be posted to Regatta Network. Learn more about the Melges 15 Class and read daily recaps on Melges15.com.

Winter Series Event 2 Draws Crowds to Jensen Beach

The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series Event Two attracted boat owners from around the country with their crews and families to Jensen Beach, FL. We had three competitive races in 6-10 knots featuring three different race winners including new owners Michael Max and Matt Burridge (St. Louis, MO). Vakaros hosted a debrief featuring tracks and analytics from the races paired with complimentary food and chilled beverages from Melges. 

On Sunday, the Race Committee tried to fire off a race in challenging conditions, but ultimately abandoned for the day. The beach launch made it easy for boats to pack up before rallying for awards. 

A single point separated the top two teams with Emily Haig and Nika Silkin (Beach Haven, NJ) taking the overall win followed by Toby and Peter Sullivan (Dellwood, MN). Awards were presented to the top sailors in their age division as well as top youth, top female and top husband/wife.

The 2023 Winter Series concludes with the Midwinter Championship March 24-26 in Jensen Beach.

2023 Winter Events Update

Melges 15 winter sailing is in the full swing! There are lots of new events on the calendar including the Bacardi Cup Invitational and Sailing World Regatta Series in San Diego. Register today to save on entry fees and encourage your fellow class members to join you. Charters are available for select events. Email eddie@melges.com to learn more.

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Melges 15 Winter Series Event 2
February 25-26
Jensen Beach, FL

Melges 15 Midwinter Championship
March 24-26
Jensen Beach, FL
*Early Registration Ends Wednesday, March 1*

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Sailing World Regatta Series
February 17-19
St. Petersburg, FL

Bacardi Cup Invitational
March 8-11
Miami, FL

Sailing World Regatta Series
March 17-19
San Diego, CA
*Early Registration Ends Saturday, Feb. 25*

See the Melges 15 at Boot Dusseldorf!

The Melges 15 will be on display at the Dusseldorf Boat Show this January 21-29, 2023. The boat will be showcased by Hein Ruyten One Design in Hall 15 stand 15/G42. You can learn more about visiting the show at the official show website www.boot-duesseldorf.com. If you are visiting the show, swing by the stand and say hello!