Open Season on Geneva Lake
The Geneva Lake Sailing School kicked off the regatta season in SE Wisconsin by hosting their Melges 15 clinic at LGYC.
By Maru Urban, LGYC
The Geneva Lake Sailing School kicked off the regatta season in SE Wisconsin by hosting their Melges 15 clinic at LGYC May 4-5. Saturday started with breakfast, followed by a skippers meeting, racing, and wrapped up with a debrief. The RC got 4 races in with S/SW breeze of 5-10. Unfortunately, there was no wind on Sunday, so that was all of the racing that the 18 competitors got to experience.
Home lake standouts Oliver Gray & Adler Johnston tied Finn Burdick & Colton Hibbard for first place with 10 points each. Oliver and Adler took the tie-breaker with two victories in the four races. Congrats to all, way to start the season off!
Melges Mayhem Regatta Report
Eighteen Melges 15 teams gathered at the Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach, NC for the first annual Melges Mayhem Regatta on May 4-5.
By Pierce Barden, M15 Cape Fear Fleet Captain
Eighteen Melges 15 teams gathered at the Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach, NC for the first annual Melges Mayhem Regatta on May 4-5. Sailors from across the Southeast participated and included teams from NC, SC, GA, and FL.
The Carolina Yacht Club, situated on the Atlantic Ocean, provided a great venue and hospitality. The club has a history of hosting major championships such as the Lightning Worlds, Lightning Pan Am Trials, Sunfish Worlds, Lightning NAs, Laser Nationals, Lightning ACCs, and Laser ACCs.
Saturday’s racing was in light 5-6mph breeze and PRO Billy Mebane and RC volunteers ran 4 races. Michael and Griffin Stapleton led the way with 4 firsts. Tied for 2nd were Austin Ando/Jack Sutton and Liam Walz/Anna Flynn. Pierce and Kiki Barden were 4th, followed by Gavin and James Crowell in 5th.
Sunday produced a little stronger 6-8mph wind allowing crews to sit on the high side. Three races were completed and awards were presented to the top 3 teams. Michael and Griffin Stapleton representing Hobcaw Yacht Club captured the overall win in dominating fashion with a total of 8 points. In 2nd place was Austin Ando/Jack Sutton also from Hobcaw Yacht Club with 13 points. Liam Walz/Anna Flynn representing Crescent Sail Yacht Club finished 3rd with 14 points. Jon Betts/Violet Derry from Carolina Yacht Club leapfrogged into 4th overall with 30 points. Locals Andrew Simpson/Sam Woodley from UNC-W finished 5th overall with 37 points.
Thank you to everyone who made this regatta successful by volunteering their time and efforts. Please check the Melges 15 Facebook Group in the coming months for next year’s regatta dates.
Melges 15 Offers Action-Packed Summer Calendar
Join the action! The Melges 15 has a full event calendar for anyone interested in getting involved in the fastest-growing one-design classes in the world.
Join the action! The Melges 15 has a full event calendar for anyone interested in joining one of the fastest-growing one-design classes in the world.
Since its launch in 2020, more than 800 Melges 15s have been sold worldwide attracting a diverse range of sailors—from seasoned veterans looking for competitive racing to new sailors seeking a thrilling and approachable platform. The design offers a fun sailing experience so you can enjoy time on the water with friends and family.
As the summer sailing season gets underway, there are Melges 15 events from coast to coast in the U.S. No matter where you live, there is a Melges 15 fleet near you! Charters are available for several regattas this season, providing an affordable way to participate in Class events.
New boats are available for Spring delivery. Request a quote or email sales@melges.com to order a new Melges 15.
Feature Events:
East Coast Championship • June 7-9, 2024 • Annapolis, MD
West Coast Championship • June 21-23, 2024 • Long Beach, CA
Great Lakes Championship • July 12-14, 2024 • Rochester, NY
40th Anniversary Newport Regatta • July 13-14, 2024 • Newport, RI
Inland Championship • August 2-4, 2024 • Pewaukee, WI
U.S. National Championship • August 23-25, 2024 • Traverse City, MI
Irish National Championship • August 24-25 • Dublin, IRL
Annapolis Triple Crown Series
Introducing the Melges 15 Triple Crown Series in Annapolis! Three regattas over five weeks in the waters of Annapolis.
Introducing the Melges 15 Triple Crown Series in Annapolis! Join us for three regattas over five weeks in the waters of Annapolis.
Sailing World Series Regatta – May 3-5 (Coinciding with the Kentucky Derby)
SSA Spring Series – May 18-19 (Preakness Weekend)
Melges 15 East Coast Championship – June 7-9 (Belmont Stakes Weekend)
Event Highlights:
Competitive Racing: Test your skills against top sailors.
Convenient Location: All regattas take place in Annapolis.
Housing Available: Accommodations upon request.
Free Boat Storage: Complimentary storage between regattas.
Fundraiser for a Cause: Join us for a fundraiser during the Spring Series.
Grand Finale: Celebration at the East Coast Championship's final party, sponsored by Melges.
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the Melges 15 Triple Crown Series in Annapolis!
EWE Spirit Fundraiser - https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ewespiritcup2024/ (join the Melges Fleet)
Contact information:
Fleet Captain – Sara Morgan Watters: saramorgan.watters@gmail.com
SSA and ECC Chairman – Lorie Stout: lorie@stoutgear.com
Sponsorship – Scott Steele: scott@steelesailing.com
Housing – Ashley Love: m.ashley.love2@gmail.com
Boat Storage – Ron Steele: ronsteele22@gmail.com
West Coast Melges 15 Fleet Shines at Big Dinghy Regatta
The West Coast Melges 15 fleet ventured to Richmond Yacht Club for the Big Dinghy Regatta April 13-14. Teams traveled from Southern California and Washington to showcase the M15.
The West Coast Melges 15 fleet ventured to Richmond Yacht Club for the Big Dinghy Regatta April 13-14. Teams traveled from Southern California and Washington to showcase the M15.
With a big breeze on Saturday, the competitors put on a good show. The boats handled the conditions perfectly with wind in the high teens gusting into the twenties. Sunday was lighter with more current to deal with, resulting in plenty of lead changes. After 7 races, Brian Savery and Tim Clarke were tied for first with Brian winning on countback.
Richmond Yacht Club was a great venue and everyone was extremely welcoming, we’ll be back next year!
Charters are available for a number of upcoming events including CGOD and California Race Week. To join the Melges 15 Class at a West Coast event or schedule a demo at your club, contact Vela LA at info@vela-la.com.
Sarasota Clubs Collaborate for a Weekend on the Water
1 weekend, 2 regattas, 3 meals, 11 trophies, 20+ boats!
1 weekend, 2 regattas, 3 meals, 11 trophies, 20+ boats!
By Jennifer Ikeda-Faugust
Fleet 2 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosted its inaugural Spring Melges 15 regatta on April 14, 2024. By combining with the Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta, hosted by Bird Key Yacht Club on the 13th, participants enjoyed a full weekend of sailing.
SSS kicked off the events with practice races on Friday afternoon, followed by a Welcome Party at BKYC with an abundance of drinks and hors’ d’oeuvres.
Saturday’s breeze was sporty as over 20 competitors headed out to the race course, but becalmed after the start of the second race. A delightful dinner was enjoyed at BKYC Saturday evening.
Sunday racing started with winds on the light side, which got lighter, as about half the fleet completed the first race before TLE and competitors were sent to shore. The awards ceremony with a competitor lunch and beer was enjoyed by all at SSS.
There were a number of break-out finishes, thanks in part to the active, local fleet racing, sharing of information, and post-race debriefs. We are excited that the fleet continues to grow and improve!
For those who might like to extend your FL racing experience, keep an eye on the class calendar for events surrounding the 2024-25 Winter Series at Merritt Island, FL!
BKYC Sarasota Bay Cup Results:
1st – Michael Faugust, Jennifer Ikeda
2nd – Richard Elsishans, Phyllis Elsishans
3rd – George Conklin, Jim Silverman
SSS Spring Melges 15 Regatta Results:
1st – Chris Klotz, Annette Breton
2nd – Michael Faugust, Jennifer Ikeda
3rd– Harris Padegs, Jean-Michel Bus
Top Woman – Mimi Solum, Jeff Solum
Top “Meister” (over the age of 65) – Dan Brown, Susan Mallows
Overall:
1st –Michael Faugust, Jennifer Ikeda
2nd – Chris Klotz, Annette Breton
3rd – Rob Hudson, Mark Landwer
2024 Melges 15 Nationals Registration Open
Registration is open for the 2024 Melges 15 U.S. National Championship August 23-25 at Grand Traverse Yacht Club in Traverse City, MI.
Registration is open for the 2024 Melges 15 U.S. National Championship August 23-25 at Grand Traverse Yacht Club in Traverse City, MI.
This year’s Championship is gearing up to be the largest Nationals to date and will feature the stunning late summer backdrop of Pure Michigan’s coastline. Three days of racing are scheduled alongside shoreside parties and a fleet dinner.
Leading up to the Nationals is the Championship Series - class-sanctioned events designed to enhance competition, promote regional fleets, and foster camaraderie among racers.:
East Coast Championship June 7-9, 2024 • Annapolis, MD
West Coast Championship June 21-23, 2024 • Long Beach, CA
Great Lakes Championship July 12-14, 2024 • Rochester, NY
Inland Championship August 2-4, 2024 • Pewaukee, WI
A limited number of charters are available for the Championship Series and Nationals through Melges and its dealers. Click here to request a quote for a new boat delivered directly to the Nationals in Traverse City.