Melges 15 Breathes New Life Into Inland Lakes

The Melges 15 Inland Championship in Pewaukee, WI, boasts the largest turnout of the 2024 Championship Series, with 60 boats registered for the three-day event, running August 2-4. It is the final class-sanctioned event before the National Championship in Traverse City, MI, at the end of the month.

Pewaukee Yacht Club started its local fleet in 2022 and now has more than 20 Melges 15s that race twice a week—casually on Wednesdays and as part of the Championship Series on Fridays. PYC Fleet Co-Captain Bill Goggins said, “We have additional incoming sailors who will join our club specifically because of the critical mass we’ve built around the Melges 15 Class. We’re all about the culture of PYC – everyone is out to help each other.”

“The Melges 15 creates the perfect landing spot for many of our retiring X Boat sailors that don't feel that they would be a good fit for the C or E boat and don't want to sail alone in an MC,” added Co-Captain Bill Lieber.

In 2022, the Melges 15 became a sanctioned fleet of the Inland Lakes Yachting Association, a testament to the class's strength and early growth. The Melges 15 fits into the ILYA’s current lineup of boats and classes perfectly. For years, sailors would graduate from the X Boat at age 16 and largely stop sailing ILYA events. The Melges 15 keeps them engaged throughout their lifetime.

“Our goal with the Melges 15 is to offer a clear pathway from youth sailing to adult racing. It’s clear that sailing fast, fun boats raises the skill level of youth sailors and keeps them interested in the sport,” said Eddie Cox, Melges. “There are no age limits in the Melges 15!”

“It’s fun and exciting to see how the introduction of a fast dinghy to the ILYA is giving all ages something to sink their teeth into,” remarked Goggins.

Another perk of the Melges 15 for inland sailors is the opportunity to sail the boats year-round. The Winter Series attracts more than 100 teams to Florida annually, providing a respite from the grips of the northern cold. 

“It is no coincidence that Oliver Gray won the X Boat Inland Championship this year, as he has been sailing the Melges 15 Winter Series since 2021,” said Lieber. My son, John, and Oliver placed 1st and 2nd in the Junior division at one of the 2023 Winter Series events. Because of this fleet, they get to compete against some of the best collegiate sailors. It has been wonderful for their sailing.”

While both enjoy watching their children race, Lieber recalled one of his favorite Winter Series memories was competing with Goggins in 2021. “Boy, did we have a great time, sailing a great boat with great people. It's been particularly fun to build this fleet alongside one of my best friends, Bill.” 

The Inland Championship lineup features a large turnout of parent/child, sibling, and youth teams, popular trends in the ILYA that have transferred into the Melges 15 Class internationally.

“From our perspective, we’ve enjoyed the diversity in the class,” said Goggins. “Our Pewaukee fleet has fathers crewing for sons, siblings sailing together, husbands and wives. Skill levels range from new to sailing to collegiate national champions, coaches, and All-Americans.”

“The ability to sail with your child is one of the highlights of the Melges 15. The boat really provides a multi-use platform where the adult can just as easily helm the boat as crew on it,” expressed Lieber. “As a lifelong sailor with four kids, having the opportunity to sail with my children and be competitive while doing it is a wonderful thing.”

Minnesota Team Triumphs at 2024 Melges 15 Great Lakes Championship

Photos by Betsy Lawless

Rochester Yacht Club in New York hosted the 2024 Melges 15 Great Lakes Championship July 12-14 on Lake Ontario. The three-day event featured seven races in conditions varying from 6-10 knots in choppy waters.

Jim Barnash, RYC’s Melges 15 Fleet Captain, cheekily added, “Even the chop-hardened Annapolitans were annoyed with Rochester's staircase-like wave sets from the local ‘navy.’” 

Toby Sullivan and Ella Wisely from White Bear, MN, won the championship title. Two points separated the leaders from locals Barnash and Meredith Killion. Morley Flynn and, wife, Lauren Crossett, from nearby Fair Haven Yacht Club, came in third. 

“Sullivan and Wisely were impressive both on and off the water. They have all the tricks to keep their heads out of the boat,” remarked Barnash. “I was both annoyed and jealous of Toby and Ella's upwind setup as they sailed higher and flatter than the rest of the field. After turning the corner, they sailed lower, at the same or better clip than most, which made passing them impossible.”

Barnash said, “The Rochester M15 fleet enjoys hosting and traveling as it injects talent and new techniques, which level up our skills. Our fleet has a great thing going—information sharing, enthusiasm, and fresh faces, as we're still gaining new members.”

Next in the 2024 Championship Series:

• August 2-4 Inland Championship Pewaukee, WI

• August 23-25 National Championship Traverse City, MI

Rochester Yacht Club Melges 15 Fleet Blends Competitive Racing & Family Fun

The large grey box trailer, fully adorned with Melges 15 sail numbers and Rochester Yacht Club graphics, is the harbinger of the New York-based fleet’s arrival at any regatta venue.

“We originally got the idea from Chris Fretz and the New Jersey fleet. Then I wanted to jazz it up,” said Billy Farmer. “Jeff Sullivan, Travis Odenbach, and I did the build-out in Travis’s barn. My mom helped with the graphics—we wanted to capture the spirit of our yacht club and the boats.”

The trailer, loaded with multiple boats, spare parts, and every tool imaginable, travels around the country, making it an economical transportation solution for all owners involved.

Sitting on the Genesee River by Lake Ontario, Rochester Yacht Club is home to 14 boats and hosts racing on Tuesday nights and every other weekend.

“We keep things casual and fun, but when racing, very competitive. We have college sailors, pro sailors, world champions, North American champs, and people who just enjoy learning and sailing. The best part about our racing is someone different almost always wins a race any given night,” explained Odenbach. “A lot of us grew up in the RYC junior program, so not only are we best friends but great rivals.”

Most of the owners are in their 30s and 40s, and many are newlyweds or parents.

“For the most part, I race with one of my three boys, ages 13, 16, and 17,” said Kris Werner, fleet member and owner of the local Quantum loft. “I sail weeknights and local regattas with each of them, alternating who drives and who crews. If my boys are busy, I sail with junior sailors from our club.”

During the Winter Series, the RYC fleet turns the February event into a family vacation, flying the whole crew south for a week at the beach, Disney, a resort, or adventures on Big Bill Farmer’s Boston Whaler for swimming and boating.

“When the trailer is loaded in November, we are going south not only to race sailboats but for our family vacation,” said Sullivan. “We can’t forget the most important items: beach toys, scooters, pool floaties, kids' lifejackets, and backup car seats.”

During the regatta, the waterfront comes alive with a tailgate-like atmosphere featuring kids building sandcastles, coolers, beach chairs, and pop-up tents.

“Melges has a great model. We are only on the water for four hours, so when we hit the shore, the spouses get a break, and the kids help de-rig,” elaborated Sullivan. “They’ll run around the boat park asking the important questions: Did you see any dolphins? Any sharks? Any octopuses? Most importantly, did you beat Trav? Everyone is extremely kind!”

As the RYC Melges 15 fleet continues to grow, the camaraderie and competitive spirit remain its core strengths. The blend of serious racing and family-oriented fun creates a unique and vibrant community that thrives both on and off the water. By engaging the younger generations, they have ensured that the fleet will continue for years to come.

Melges Watersports Center Set to Bring World-Class Sailing to Florida's Space Coast

Melges Performance Sailboats is proud to announce the all-new Melges Watersports Center, the country’s newest sailing development and training venue located in the heart of Florida’s Space Coast. 

The Melges Watersports Center is committed to broadening the base of wind and human-powered water sports through dedicated community programs and providing support for the development of future champions and Olympians. 

“Our goal is to create the premiere North American sailing venue,” said Andy Burdick, President of Melges.  

Located on the Banana River at one of its widest points, the venue offers a large, protected body of water, ideal for small sailboats, windsurfers, foiling, and human-powered sports. The Center is also located close to ocean access, allowing for future planning of larger-scale events on the Atlantic.  

The Melges Watersports Center is scheduled to open in October 2024 and begin hosting regattas, clinics, and camps. It will serve as a world-class venue, attracting an international audience to Brevard County. 

As one of the most active one-design classes in the country, the Melges 15 will bring more than 100 teams to the area throughout its four-event Winter Series. In addition, the Center will kick off its inaugural year with the Melges 14 National Championship and a dozen more scow and dinghy events. 

The Center is not just a regatta venue but a year-round hub for aquatic activities and education, catering to beginners and seasoned athletes. It will boast a wide range of services and programs aimed at fostering a love for the water while providing public access to the area’s largest natural resource through kayak and paddleboard rentals.

The Melges Team will facilitate access to the top coaches and athletes in the industry, offering unique training and development opportunities. Several clinics are already on the calendar, aimed at improving boat handling, performance, and racing tactics. These clinics are perfect for individuals eager to absorb expert knowledge within a casual, fun atmosphere. 

The Center, backed by the professional team at Melges Performance Sailboats, aims to be a top sailing destination. The Melges Team has numerous world and national championship titles and decades of instructional experience. With a passion for the sport and a commitment to excellence, Melges consistently elevates the level of event management and educational clinics, fostering a vibrant community of sailors.

"The Melges experience doesn’t end with a purchase. We’re dedicated to providing a holistic sailing experience through regattas, training, and education," explained Burdick.

“We have built a strong community through our boat designs, one that attracts enthusiasts from all walks of life. Through the opening of the Center, I see that community growing larger and more connected through year-round activities.”

The Melges Watersports Center is located at 2550 N. Banana River DR Merritt Island, FL within the 5-acre Brevard County park, Kelly Park East. The venue has been celebrated as one of the top locations for windsurfing due to its consistent breeze and easy access from nearby Orlando airport. 

For more information, visit melgeswatersports.com.

Melges 15 Wins Boat of the Week & Crowns West Coast Champions

Photo: Joy Sailing

The 2024 Melges 15 West Coast Championship was contested at Long Beach Race Week June 21-23 at Long Beach Yacht Club and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. With 18 Melges 15s on the race track, it was the largest class at LBRW. 

Seven races were sailed in a full range of 12-20 knots under blue skies on the dark blue waters of the Pacific. 

Keiran Searle and Declan McGranahan from Corinthian Yacht Club won the Championship title, racing in their first West Coast Championship. 

“My crew and I have been sailing the boat for about eight months now and we wanted to come down from San Francisco to race Long Beach Race Week because we know it provides beautiful weather and a lot of fun off the water,” said Searle. “The Melges 15 is an awesome boat, it has more perks than is publicized – it’s incredibly stable which makes it easy for a lot of different people to sail and it’s a lot of fun.”

In addition to representing the largest class, Searle and McGranahan also won LBRW Boat of the Week! Local team Brad Thompson won the Yacht Club Challenge representing Alamitos Bay Yacht Club.

Next on the West Coast circuit:

• July 20-21: High Sierra Regatta • Fresno, CA

• July 27-28: CGOD • Cascade Locks, OR • Charters Available

Melges 15 Class Takes Center Stage at Long Beach Race Week

The 2024 Melges 15 West Coast Championship is preparing to get underway at Long Beach Race Week co-hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in California June 21-23. With 17 boats registered, the Melges 15 represents the largest one-design fleet racing at the event. 

“LBRW is definitely the highlight of the SoCal racing season, so it’s awesome to have the West Coast Championship held in conjunction with it!” said local owner, Brad Thomspon. “I think it will help encourage more people to join the M15 class - especially since we have the most boats competing in only our 2nd year at LBRW.” 

The Melges 15s also represented the largest class at Cal Race Week earlier this month hosted in Marina del Rey, CA. The fleet’s increasing presence at West Coast events is a testament to how well-suited the design is to the region. 

“It’s great to see a good mix of local competitors and teams traveling from further away for our events,” said Tim Clarke, owner of Vela-LA and M15 sailor. “The competition was strong at CRW and it has been great to build on the success of that regatta. That event generated more interest in the class and we were happy to welcome some new owners to our local Melges 15 fleet.”

Racing is scheduled for Friday-Sunday with the awards on Sunday afternoon. Follow the action on lbrw.org. 

Midwest Sailors Triumph at East Coast Championship in Annapolis

The iconic sailing town of Annapolis, MD hosted the second annual East Coast Championship at Severn Sailing Association. Twenty-nine teams, mostly from the region, competed, but a Midwest boat topped the leaderboard.

Toby Sullivan and Graham Ness from Minnesota won the event in a 24-point tie-breaker with New Jersey’s Emily and John Haig, followed by Annapolis locals, Sara Morgan Watters and Anna Flynn.

The three-day event featured consistent winds and flat water on the Chesapeake Bay. Nine races were sailed to engage a throwout, which shook up the rankings.

This was Sullivan’s first Championship win since joining the Class in 2021. “The win still hasn’t sunk in yet, but it means a lot to finally bring home a championship win after competing against the top guys for a few years,” remarked Sullivan.

After the first seven races, the sailors left their boats behind and headed to Camp Steele for live music, dinner, and tasty beverages. A special thanks to Ron and Bonnie Steele for hosting the party!

The regatta was a culmination of three events, the Triple Crown Series, hosted by the Annapolis clubs. The Sailing World Regatta Series, Spring Series, and East Coast Championship dates all coincided with the Triple Crown horse racing event introducing a new competition for the SSA, Eastport Yacht Club, and Annapolis Yacht Club.

“The Triple Crown was really neat because it encouraged everyone to register for each event and we had all three clubs represented,” said Watters, a member of Eastport Yacht Clubf. “There’s a lot of ex-college sailors that live in the area and are looking for the next boat to sail. This boat is really taking off here, and it’s fun to see the momentum.”

Annapolis Yacht Club member, Madeleine Schroeher, added “The fleet here is super competitive and a great group of people. It’s awesome being able to have great racing in your own backyard.”

The Championship Series continues with the following events:

• West Coast Championship • June 21-23 • Long Beach, CA

• Great Lakes Championship • July 12-14 • Rochester, NY

• Inland Championship • August 2-4 • Pewaukee, WI

• National Championship • August 23-25 • Traverse City, MI