CMCA News From 2016:
December 22, 2016 – 2016 Canadian Melges 24 Class Association AGM took place on December 21 via Skype conference. Click here for minutes of meeting.
November 8, 2016 – 2016 IM24CA Annual General meeting took place in Munich on November 5th. Follow this link to read a summary of the meeting. Congratulations to Duncan Stamper of Victoria BC who was elected IM24CA Vice President Americas!
News Release August 31, 2016:
Attention Canadian Melges 24 Class Members!
Call for IM24CA nominations in the Americas by September 2, 2016..
At the forthcoming International Melges 24 Class Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) taking place this November, the Americas need to nominate a class member to represent their interests on the world council.
At this time the CM24CA is officially accepting nominations for this position.
Any and all nominations shall be emailed to class president Marc Noel at [email protected] no later than 5pm Pacific time, Friday September 2nd, 2016. All nominees shall be a Melges 24 boat owner and a current full member of a National Class Association for the past two (2) years.
If proposing someone other than yourself, please be sure that you have consulted with them and that they are fully accepting of the nomination, as well as any and all responsibilities related to the possible position.
Marc Noel
President
CM24CA
August 5, 2016 – The Canadian Melges 24 Class Association is happy to announce the details of the 2017 Melges 24 Canadian National Championship. This high level event will be hosted by the National Yacht Club in Toronto, Ontario September 22nd – 24th, 2017. The location and dates were carefully chosen to provide the best racing conditions possible, while avoiding conflicting regattas. “We are very happy that the National Yacht Club has agreed to host this premier event and we look forward to welcoming teams with exceptional sailing conditions and warm hospitality” says Marc Noel, President of the Canadian Class. “The Melges 24 fleet is one of the most competitive sportboat classes and we will do our best to ensure that the 2017 Canadians are on the level that such a class deserves” adds Dan Berezin, National Yacht Club member and Melges 24 owner.
Stay tuned to www.melges24.ca for updates as the event date gets closer.
Photo: National Yacht Club, Toronto, ON – Home to the 2017 Canadian Melges 24 Nationals
News Release June 26, 2016:
Winners in the 2016 Land Rover Canadian National Championship overall, and the Corinthian winners announced!
In first place for the Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship are Ian Sloan and team on Mikey USA-838 from Anacortes Washington. 2nd place went to Fraser McMillan and the Wet Coast Sailing Team on Sunnyvale CAN-151 from Brentwood Bay, Canada and in 3rd place was Richard Reid on Zingara CAN-629 from Port Credit, ON, Canada.
First Place in the Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship: Ian Sloan and team (from left to right) Jeff Madrigali, Serena Village, Ian Sloan, Jason Rhodes and Hunter Lowden on Kevin Welch’s Boat “Mikey USA-838” from Anacortes, WA, USA – Photo © Dylan Carver
First place in the Corinthian Fleet and second place in the overall Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship: Fraser McMillan and the Wet Coast Sailing Team (from the left) Fraser McMillan, Harry Miller, Kieran Horsburgh, Keegan Moynihan and Aidan Koster on Sunnyvale CAN-151 from Brentwood Bay, Canada – Photo© Jim Hall
The definition of Corinthian is a team with no professional sailors on board. The 2nd in overall ranking and 1st place in the Corinthian Fleet is Fraser McMillan and the Wet Coast Sailing Team on Sunnyvale CAN151 from Brentwood Bay, Canada in 2nd place; Gordon Shannon and team on Boaty McBoatface CAN591 and in 3rd place; Seattle, Washington racer, Matt MacGregor on Good Enough USA498!
The 2016 National Championship started three days ago with nothing but wind and March temperatures, keeping all sailors dressed for weather. The fleet raced four strong races with a couple of general recalls and by the end many wished they were the ones wearing water repellant Bluesmiths gear and toques. By day two the temperature rose, it stayed dry and the teams had solid wind for the first two races and then it eased off. The conditions were beautiful for the Banquet dinner in the Kelowna Yacht Club and a summer evening out on their deck.
Day three, at the 10am start time, the wind was blowing then shifted and by the time the marks were moved to a new course, the wind died, the sun came out and the temperatures rose to a hot 30C. So hot that someone finally slid down the Race Committee boat slide into the warm lake water. Early afternoon the race was called and all boats were off the water by 2pm.
The Three Stage North American Tour includes:
1. Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship June 24-26, 2016
2. 2016 Melges 24 U.S. Championship, Lake Geneva October 7-9, 2016
3. Melges 24 World Championship, Miami November 26 to December 3, 2016
The Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian Nationals 2016 are a great start to the Melges 24 Western Series including:
1. Whidbey Island Race Week July 11-15, 2016
2. Columbia Gorge One Design Regatta, Seattle July 29-31, 2016
3. Melges 24 Pacific Coast Championships, San Francisco August 12-14, 2016
The future is bright for the Melges 24 class and the Western North American fleets. To answer the 2016 Canadian Nationals in Kelowna the 2017 North American Championship will be at the Gorge and the 2018 Worlds in Victoria BC.
Find event and media posts on Facebook and twitter
Photos on Melges 24 Nationals Flickr Page
Melges 24 Nationals Website
google: #Melges24CNats
Andy McGregor, Summerland, BC, Canada
Dillon Carver, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Jim Hall, Kelowna, BC, Canada
June 22, 2016 –
Welcome to The North American Melges 24 Racing Teams arriving at the Kelowna Yacht Club This Week!
The Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship registration opens 9 am on June 22nd and boats will start arriving from all corners of North America to compete. The course will be determined by wind direction and will be located in one of three general sailing areas.
Some of the teams will be on the water as early as Wednesday, June 22nd joining in on Kelowna Yacht Club’s regular Wednesday Night Race from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The official program starts with a racing clinic between 1-4pm on June 23rd continued with a busy racing schedule during the 3-day races June 24th – 26th starting 10:30 am on Friday and 10:00 am the rest of the week. The daytime race schedule is followed by a Tree Brewing debriefing session a “Burgers in Paradise” barbeque evening, a Kelowna Yacht Club Banquet and the Awards presentations on the KYC Commodore’s dock after racing on Sunday June 26th.
“Our committee and volunteers are excited to welcome 29 Melges 24 boats to the Kelowna Yacht Club and facilitate an international level race in the most professional way possible. We thank Land Rover Kelowna and all the sponsors and donors who made this event possible and good luck to all the teams! ” says Marc Noel, president of the Canadian Melges 24 Class Association and Melges 24 Nationals’ co-chair.
The Three Stage North American Tour includes:
1. Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship June 24-26, 2016
2. 2016 Melges 24 U.S. Championship, Lake Geneva October 7-9, 2016
3. Melges 24 World Championship, Miami November 26 to December 3, 2016
Members of the Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship organizing committee and many volunteers are keeping our Mission and Vision in mind to deliver a first class event!
Mission Statement:
To host a high quality, first class yacht race experience with low environmental impact and engage a sense of community.
Vision:
- To work collaboratively with our Partner Organizations towards delivering a first class event and honouring their contributions.
- To support all volunteers toward our event goals.
- To host an on budget, and respected event.
The organizing committee is very grateful for the generous support of many sponsors, donors and media that has made the Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship possible!
To our Sponsors and Donors: We Couldn’t do it Without You, Thank You!
The Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship committee is very thankful for the generous sponsors and donors in support of this North American sailing race. The event is entirely volunteer lead and would not be possible without their support. Land Rover Kelowna offered their Title sponsorship for the event as part of Land Rover’s global engagement in the “Extreme Sailing series”.
North Sails has been a longtime supporter of many sailboat racing events both locally and globally. We are very thankful for their continued support, and for being a sponsor! North Sails Coach and racer, Drew Mitchells, will be on the water June 23rd coaching the boats during the Race Clinic 1-4pm. Their North U department’s touring seminars and clinics, teach top level racing to some of our best teams.
Pro racer Brian Hutchinson from Salt Lake City who has been involved with the Melges 24 class since its inception will be coaching the fleet on the water June 22nd too. We are fortunate to have such high level talent to prepare our team for a great week of racing! Brian and Hutchinson Sports is also a sponsor of the event.
Thank you to our grant donor, The City of Kelowna, for the generous support of our event.
And we would also like to thank the Province of BC and viaSport for their generous support of this event. Hosting BC grant funding was received from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and administered by viaSport British Columbia.
The Kelowna Yacht Club continues to be a huge support to the Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship event by providing the facilities, the moorage space, logistical expertise, membership engagement and media coverage to name a few. The event’s committee is very grateful to have this quality clubhouse, grounds and highly skilled staff to work with.
Dockside Marine Centre is supporting the entire on the water racing event by providing the Official Race Committee Boat, the Signals Boat (left) and the many mark boats used to set up the course for the event. Dockside Marine Centre has been serving western Canadian boaters since 1975. They are locally owned and operated, and are located on the Westside of the Bennet Bridge accessible via the Campbell Road exit.
For further information on the 2016 Land Rover Kelowna Melges 24 Canadian National Championship, please contact:
Marc Noel
Co Chair Land Rover Kelowna 2016 Melges 24 Canadian National Championship
[email protected]
Media contact:
Pamela Miller
[email protected]
News Release May 1, 2016:
Entry Deadline Quickly Approaching
The Land Rover Kelowna 2016 MELGES 24 Canadian National Championship is only eight weeks away. Our newest sponsors, HELLY HANSEN, BLUESMITHS, and HUTCHINSON SPORTS have each contributed performance gear for a prize draw open to all skippers that have paid their entry fee by May 15th. The three winners will be announced on May 16th.
HELLY HANSEN gear is used by world-class sailors, skiers and adventurers who spend their time between human will and nature’s forces, and demand full protection and performance when the conditions are at their worst.
BLUESMITHS, makers of the world’s finest water wear, has expanded its line of hydrophobic gear with new sailing team colors. Win a game-changing Kanaha Water Repellent Ocean Shirt, an Award Winning Kula Windpro Hoodie or the multi Gear-of-the-Year winning Spartan Board Shorts.
HUTCHINSON SPORTS designs and builds gear considered essential to the MELGES24: Tack-Deflectors, Traveler-Jockeys, Mast Pads, Padded Lifeline Straps, Leg-Savers, and more…With over thirty teams from across North America already registered, we expect to pass forty by race time. We have a fantastic championship planned in a stunning location. To be part of this exciting event, register and complete your payment today. (Total prize value approximately $1500).
Marc Noel
Co-Chair
Land Rover Kelowna 2016 MELGES 24 Canadian National Championship
Land Rover Kelowna MELGES24 Nationals website: Melges24Nationals.ca
April 18, 2016 – Bruce Ayres and team USA-851 Monsoon won Charleston Race Week for the 3rd consecutive time. The sole Canadian team was the reigning National Champion Richard’s Read’s CAN-629 Zingara in the 9th place. Below is Richard’s report on the event.
RR:
CRW is a 3 day event which takes place primarily in Charleston Harbour out by Ft. Sumter. As usual, an organizational triumph in how to run a regatta; 250 or boats, 80% of which were 24 feet and under. The weather outlook called for squally northerlies moving right and settling at lower speeds throughout the week.
Charleston Harbor is an interesting place to sail…the course lies right at the mouth of the Cooper, Ashley, and the Wando rivers as they terminate in the Atlantic Ocean.
1st day of racing was in 15-20 knots with set taking you over the line and into the committee boat resulting in 2 general recalls right off the bat. Then it was breeze on with spikes to 30 knots, very similar to the Gorge last summer. The breeze went right at the end of the day and was a lottery ticket for the few who went that way.
2nd day of racing was the same averaging 18-22 most of the time, with breeze going right at the end with sunshine.
3rd day of racing was supposed to be lighter with less current. Nope. 20-25 knots and now the breeze is really right and a strong ebb current was a big factor.
Race committee got off the full count – ten races – started on time and was well organized so that all good take advantage of the truly warm hospitality on shore.
A little advertorial here; Quantum was everywhere here supporting both the class and the regatta. Ed Baird gave great weather briefings every day before racing and debriefings in the Quantum tent over cocktails, their sails were on the 3 of the top five boats in the Melges 24 Class.
CM24CA: the competition seems to be stiffer this year, is that your feeling too?
RR: The Melges 24 circle included the Melges 20 and the Vipers and was the circle closest to Ft. Sumter and the ocean. Several of the top Melges 24 North American teams were there and they have clearly upped their game. Coach boats + coaches and team trailers were in abundance and many crews including ours were
rigged by Wednesday. and practicing hard on Thursday.
Of the teams finishing in the top 5:
· Monsoon / Bruce Ayres and his 5 people team: Bruce is an amateur driver with 4 pros on board. Monsoon has won many regattas and is a past US Nationals Champion;
· Lucky Dog / Travis Weisleder: an amateur driver with very successful US College sailing career,successful past Melges 20 (past runner up Melges 20 World Championships) and Melges 24 campaigns. This is a 5 man team with 3 pros on board and being actively coached by Ed Adams (US Sailing Team);
· Team Helly Hansen / Tim Healy: several World Champion titles in different classes. Healy is currently a President of North Sails One Design, this is an all pro team with lots of depth and lots of hardware;
· Decorum / Megan Ratliffe: a Corinthian family affair. Megan’s brother Hunter is the driver and a well-known US Olympic Team 470 Sailor. This team has been improving steadily and is one to watch for top Corinthian Team at the upcoming World’s.
The above teams all have their eyes on the prize.
CM24CA: what seem to be the points of strength of the top 3 teams?
RR: What were the top teams doing to win? They came to race, their crews and boats were prepped well before racing and they all had at least one full practice day under their belt. Angle of heel, the top boats sailed flat even in 25 knots of breeze. They went the right way, easier than it sounds, there were often lanes up both sides of the course (as long as you didn’t over stand).
CM24CA: What is your personal main takeaway from the regatta?
RR: Team Z’s own takeaway is that while our objective was for a better finish than what we ended up with, we had some great boat speed moments and refined important boat on boat skills.
Remember, 1.1 mile beats + big breeze + lots of current at the marks + truly talented teams = heartbreak for someone every rounding.
All this action of course is adding to the momentum behind the Miami 2016 World Championships.
You can still sign up!
Photo: Richard Read and team CAN-629 Zingara at Charleston Race Week 2016. Tim Wilkes Photography.
February 5, 2016 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelowna, BC The Melges 24 Canadian National Championship Committee is pleased to announce Land Rover Kelowna as the title sponsor of the 2016 Melges 24 Canadian National Championship taking place at Kelowna Yacht Club, June 24 to 26, 2016. The Land Rover Kelowna 2016 Melges 24 Canadian National Championship is stage one of three on the Melges 24 North American tour. “Land Rover Kelowna is thrilled to partner with this top level North American sailing event,” says John Bokitch, managing partner of Land Rover Kelowna. “The Land Rover Extreme Sailing Series is a commitment to some of the leading sailing events in the world and the Melges 24 Canadian National Championship is an opportunity for us to support stage one of the North American tour, right here in the Okanagan.”
Photo: Committee member Michel Tremblay welcomes John Bokitch of Land Rover Kelowna as the title sponsor of the Melges 24 Canadian Nationals held this June at the Kelowna Yacht Club.
“We are very happy to have Land Rover Kelowna as the title sponsor for this year’s event,” says Marc Noel, president of the Canadian Melges 24 Class Association. “Land Rover has a long standing history of supporting many international sailing regattas, and we are thrilled that they have chosen to support the Melges 24 Canadian Nationals in Kelowna.”
Noel is a driving force behind the local Melges 24 fleet and co-chair of the championships. He and his crew have competed in several North American Melges 24 races.
Kelowna Yacht Club has delivered exceptional national racing events in recent years and is in a prime position to host a top level North American Melges 24 race. An enthusiastic group of Melges 24 owners and crew compete weekly at Kelowna Yacht Club’s race nights, at Okanagan Lake regattas and national races across North America. Located on Okanagan Lake, the club is home to the largest fresh water marina in Canada.
With 30 boats already registered, Kelowna’s Melges 24 Nationals will launch a great start to the three-part North American tour heading to US Nationals in Lake Geneva in October and the world championship in Miami in late November.
The 2016 Melges 24 Canadian National Championship is open to all boats that meet the obligations of the Melges 24 Class rules and IM24CA rules, including class membership. Registration, race and itinerary information can be found at melges24nationals.ca
Media Contact:
Marc Noel
President Canadian Melges 24 Class Association
250 212-9950
[email protected]
January 4, 2016 – With 24 boats signed up and six months to go, the 2016 Melges 24 Canadian National Championship is projected to reach 40 plus teams.
Click here for the 2016 Canadians news release.
CMCA wishes all the sailors Happy and Safe New Year!!
Video courtesy of CAN-346 Vapour Trail team.