Down Bay Draws Record Numbers

By Clay Johnson, Colie Sails

A record 41 Melges 15s attended the 2024 Down Bay Regatta August 10-11 at Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven, NJ.  The weather this year was the big factor as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie passed by our area before the weekend.

On Friday, sailors were invited to an informal clinic day.  It was intended that we would help with rigging, have a fleet debrief, and then go sailing for a few hours in an organized practice.  But Friday saw winds in excess of 30 knots and it quickly became obvious that the clinic would have to move inside to a group chalk talk.  All wasn't lost though as about 30+ people joined us at the main clubhouse for a 1.5 hour briefing on the Melges 15s.  Topics included tuning, techniques, boat-handling, and even capsize recovery.  It was really well worth it, and this kind of a briefing speaks to the openness of the class and how friendly everyone is!

On Saturday, the storm had passed but we were left with very light and challenging conditions.  The Melges 15 fleet was in the middle of the Bay, sometimes racing in a light westerly while also getting teased by a sea breeze out of the south.  Sometimes both at the same time! 

In the first race, Brian and Allison Simkins jumped out to a nice lead and were able to hold off late charges by Luke Arnone/Cameron Giblin and Sara Morgan Waters/Kate O'Donell.  The second race was a bit wacky with the westerly and the southerly fighting each other. Boats took many different routes to the leeward mark with some going really high to try to get into the southerly, while others choosing the low side of the course to stay in the westerly as long as possible. The RC ended up shortening this race to a W3 in hopes of getting another score in the books and allow for a third race of the day. Emily Haig/Jimmy Muller progressed through the fleet to take the gun over Ron and Bonnie Steele. We were able to get one more race in on the last day in a little bit more of a stable westerly breeze. Luke Arnone and Cameron Giblin were at the front the whole time, followed by Mike Ehnot and Matt Priebe. Emily and Jimmy hung in for third. Day one ended with three light air, tricky races.  Luke/Cameron and Emily/Jimmy were leading the way with three consistent scores. Dana Haig dragged her father John Haig around the course with some consistent scores to also stay in the hunt. And Mike Ehnot put together a good day to be in the mix too. Many other sailors had some higher scores and were hoping for a throwout to get back in the mix.

The real reason everyone comes to the Down Bay is for the party, and this year did not disappoint. Dinner, drinks, and dancing made for a fun night.  Thanks to Andrew Mackessey and Stokes Carriagan, the 2024 Down Bay co-chairs, for organizing such a great party!

Day two arrived with glass on the water and a light forecast. Sometimes when it's glassy out, it's almost better because it allows for some breeze to build out of the correct direction. After a short postponement, the RC sent us out for an 11:15 start in a light SW breeze. Boats had a great start near the pin and flopped to port for most of the beat. Luke Arnone jumped out to an early lead, followed by Scott "Scooter" Barbano and, wife, Liz. Bobby and Maggie Koar were in the mix most of the day, and the father-son duo of Alan and Spencer Kriegstein were a rocket downwind. The breeze lightened up as the race went on, and Emily and Jimmy systematically picked off boat after boat to move to the front. They were winning at the last weather mark, but Luke and Cameron reclaimed their lead on the last downwind to take the race.  

The next race was a little more questionable as after the start the breeze died completely and filled from the left, leaving everyone on the right hung out to dry.  The Haig sisters took advantage of their speed and good fortune of being on the left to go 1-2.  Luke could only manage a comeback to 8th, leaving Luke and Emily tied heading into the last race.

The last race started in what looked to be a building seabreeze.  We sailed the first beat in the southerly before the breeze got a little weird on the downwind and totally shut off after that.  A fleet inversion, followed by competing breezes and pleas from the participants to "put us out of our misery and abandon the race" ultimately led to the RC abandoning the race and sending the fleet in.

All in all, it was a tough event with the weather.  We're all sailors and know that you can't control the weather, but with 41 boats all gathered at one location and eager to race, it was a bummer that the conditions were so trying.  That said, the cream always rises to the top, and Emily/Jimmy, Luke/Cameron, and Dana/John were clearly the three best boats this weekend and sure enough they finished 1-2-3. It was pretty cool to see so many different pairs playing at the front throughout the weekend too. The fleet is getting more competitive with each event.

Thank you to the Race Committee for giving us their best in the difficult conditions. And thank you to Little Egg and all of the volunteers for doing their best to make the regatta happen. We appreciate the efforts!

Strength in Numbers - Inland Lakes Bring the Heat to Melges 15 Championship Series

The Inland Lakes Yachting Association and Pewaukee Yacht Club hosted the largest regional event of the 2024 Melges 15 Championship Series with 62 boats at the Inland Championship, August 2-4. 

“The Melges 15 Inland was first contested by 30 boats in 2022; now the competition has doubled. We’re one of the strongest regions in the country and very proud of that,” touted ILYA Fleet Representative Tim Regan. 

Toby Sullivan and Parker Ziegler from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, took home the title, while Owen Kohut and Mason Keane from Geneva Lake and sisters Sophie and Tilly Niemann Pewaukee rounded out the podium. A meager five points separated the second through fifth-place teams—a testament to the talent and consistency at the top of the leaderboard amongst the large fleet. 

The Inland marked Sullivan’s third Championship win of the season following the East Coast and Great Lakes. 

“I really love the Series and being able to travel to venues around the country. The conditions and competition have been different at every event,” said Sullivan. “Here, in Pewaukee, it was pretty light and swirly. The key to success was working to get to the puffs instead of waiting for them to come to you.”  

The weekend saw six races in challenging, light conditions and flat water. While the conditions held for two great days of racing, the wind didn’t show for the third and final day. 

“I’m thrilled we were able to get six quality races in; these were challenging conditions. Hats off to AJ Schweda and the Race Committee Team,” said Regan. “Getting through Friday was really tough because it was blowing across the lake. There were a lot of velocity differences between the puffs. So you had to determine, ‘Was I really getting knocked, or was I just going through my apparent?’ The guys who figured it out did really well.”

While Regan expressed his appreciation for the RC and local hospitality, he made no secret that his favorite part of the weekend was crewing for his daughter, Anna. 

“We’ve been sailing the Melges 15 together since 2021, and this was our last big event before I leave for college,” smiled Anna. 

The Melges 15 Class caps off the 2024 Championship Series in Traverse City, MI, August 23-25 with the National Championship. Seventy boats are registered for the season's final event, marking the largest Nationals of the Class’s short history. 

Results are available at melges15.com/results, and photos are posted on melges.smugmug.com.

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