As year 2024 is nearing it’s conclusion, it’s time to have a little season overview. All the biggest events for the the class in North America were held this season on the West Coast.
The USA Nationals took place in Santa Barbara on July 12-14, with 20 boats competing. Two Canadian teams took part in this regatta with Dan Berezin’s CAN-629 Surprise finishing in 5th (2nd Corinthian) and Philip Harland’s CAN-498 PCH in 13th.
©Sharon Green/Ultimate Sailing
The Diversified 2024 Melges World Championship, August 17-24, was an excellently run event, both on and off the water with top tier race management and well attended onshore social events delivered by the San Francisco Yacht Club. Racing took place on the Berkley circle in champagne San Francisco conditions with 31 boats representing 5 nations competing for the title.
Top Canadian boats were Dan Berezin’s CAN-629 Surprise in 17th place (4th Corinthian), Alex Coleman’s CAN-15 Ocean Pearl 19th and Duncan Stamper’s CAN-11 Goes to Eleven in 20th.
The racing season in Canada wound down with the Melges 24 Canadian Championship which was hosted by the West Vancouver Yacht Club September 20-22. Twelve races were held over the three-day event in light and variable conditions with a tight fleet of 11 boats. West Vancouver Yacht Club put on a fantastic event with sound race management and great social events.
A big thank you to all that help facilitate such an amazing regatta. The winners were not decided until the final race, here are the top 3 overall:
The Rodent – CAN 448, owned by Robert Wissenz, with Fraser Mc Millan on helm, Gord Shannon, Alex Levkovskiy and Grace Poole;
Goes To Eleven – CAN 011, skippered by Duncan Stamper, helped by Mark Malleson, Steve Isbister, Keith Provan and Elliot Pierce;
Big Energy – USA 458, helmed by Ian Sloan, with Nick Andrews, Brent Campbell and Jan Majer.
© Matt Wagstaffe
Corinthian division winners:
Goes To Eleven – CAN 011, Duncan Stamper on helm, helped by Mark Malleson, Steve Isbister, Keith Provan and Elliot Pierce;
FERDINAND – CAN 678, skipper: Steve Fleckenstein;
Surprise – CAN 629, with Dan Berezin on helm, Misha Mayevsky, Simon Beaulieu, Simon Ostapenko and Michael Berezin.
© Matt Wagstaffe
The most recent Melges 24 regatta was Bacardi Invitational Winter Series Event One, held my Shake-a-Leg Miami on December 14-15. The regatta only saw one race due to winds well into 20+ knots with several boats having equipment failures. The top Canadian team was Richard Read’s CAN-853 Zingara taking 2nd place, showing a great form after skipping most of the 2024 season.
© Hannah Lee Noll
The next season will have major class events shifting to the East of the continent, with 2025 Canadian Nationals organized by South Port Sailing Club in Tecumseh, Ontario. The event will take place on September 5-7 and the registration is now open. The US Nationals will be held in Pensacola, Florida, on November 14-16. Finally, the North American Championship will take place in Miami, Florida, on December 12-14.
Have a great holiday season and see you on the race course in 2025!