Berezin Wins 2023 U.S. National Ranking Series Title

December 29, 2023 - 2023 has been a remarkable year for the Melges 24, and the U.S. Class is grateful for all who raced with us and celebrated our 30th anniversary. It has been filled with tons of memories, milestones packed solid with great victories and accomplishments for owners across the land.

The U.S. Melges 24 Class values and appreciates the support of so many amazing teams, event organizers, yacht clubs and industry partners such as Melges Performance Sailboats, but in particular Quantum Sails. They continue to excel with us as title sponsor of our Great Lakes Cup Series. Because of their involvement, this series alone has become an amazing playground for the highest level of competitive one-design racing in the Midwest and beyond.

We also extend a massive round of congratulations to 2023 U.S. Melges 24 National Ranking Champion Dan Berezin racing Surprise. He is currently the president of the Canadian Melges 24 Class Association and with 7 of 11 events completed, he has successfully captured not only the overall title, but that of Corinthian Ranking Champion too.

His crew consisted of his son Michale Berezin and a fairly steady slate of sailors that included Alex Kapustin, Valerie Sushko, Denys Kalchenko, Mykhaylo Mayevskyy and Aliaksandr Praskurnin. They have all contributed to the success of this emerging Melges 24 team in 2023!

The 2023 U.S. National Ranking Series consisted of 11 events that took place all over the United States and Canada. A total of 68 teams participated, 29 of which raced as Corinthians. Fellow Canadian Melges 24 owner Greg Chamberlain racing Huzzah was the second highest attendee at 6 events complete, and past USM24CA President Steve Boho at the helm of The 300 attended 5.

Overall, we were proud to welcome fleet newcomer Cuyler Morris racing Dark Horse as he had a banner year to finish out the ranking series in second overall, followed by Boho in third. 2023 Melges 24 North American Champion Richard Reid racing Zingara finished the year in fourth, with Chamberlain rounding out the top five.

In the all-amateur division, Corinthian, the legendary Mike Dow racing Flying Toaster is the runner-up, followed by John Shockey’s Wombmates Racing in third. Fred Rozelle and his Melges 24 family of 'Rustlers’ completed the year in fourth, and Harry Vigrass’ Tomfoolery finished fifth.

2023 Full Results - U.S. Melges 24 National Ranking Series

2024 will be stellar, more than ever before! The North American Sailing Series is set and ready to go with 10 events scheduled to take place across the continent — in particular the World Championship happens in San Francisco mid-August, the U.S. Nationals in Santa Barbara in July, and the Canadian Nationals will unfold in late September.

But there is more — the Midwinter Championship at the St. Pete’s Sailing World Regatta kicks off the year on February 16-18, Bacardi Cup will be epic in March, and Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point in April are all shaping up to be fantastic showcase regattas. The 2024 Quantum Sails Great Lakes Cup Series will be announced in January 2024, so stay tuned.