The Melges 24 Class ushered in a new way of thinking about one-design racing, and without it, we might never have the kind of big fleet sportboat action that’s one of the high points of the sport today. Melges sailors – including our own Senior Editor – have been a big part of Sailing Anarchy since the beginning, and that’s why we’re so stoked to see the class continue to rebound after the lows of the past five years. You wanna know how big a rebound? How about an incredible 46 teams already registered (some 16 months early) for the Miami Worlds next December! Thanks to the support of Sperry and the Sailing Anarchy World Tour, Petey Crawford reports from the wild US Nationals at the Gorge. His photos, too.
Over the past 2 months, I’ve attended the Melges 24 World Championship in Denmark and this past weekend’s US National Championship at the Gorge. My main focus on both of these trips was to get back in touch with my own Melges 24 roots while promoting the 2016 Melges 24 World Championship in Miami. I’m glad to say that the positive trends in Melges 24 racing are evident, and that the entire Miami Worlds team will be working very hard to continue stoking the flames that are clearly burning in the Melges 24 class.
The most positive trend I’m referring to is the constantly increasing Corinthian participation numbers. The total entries at both events have been very high compared to previous years, and this is mainly due to non-pro teams getting on the line. 56 Corinthian teams showed up for the Worlds and 25 of the 36 teams at the Gorge were Corinthian as well. While the AC and VOR guys get the headlines, it’s the average Joe or Josie and their family who’ve always made up the bulk of the fleet and have provided both the strength and the future of the class, and that’s what we are working so hard to promote.
I’ve been working on some exciting new ideas to promote the ’16 Worlds with IMCA Class President Jens Wathne, and have already begun plotting and scheming with new US Grand Poobah Steve Boho who took over just last week. I can promise that we’ve got some stellar stuff in the pipeline, and of course you will see it here first.
Until then, there’s a gallery I shot at the Gorge here, and full results here. We’ll have a Sperry/Sailing Anarchy video show from the Gorge for you as soon as my computer allows.
-The Rev (and 2016 Melges 24 Worlds Chairman) Petey Crawford – out….
