A clear requirement for the success of this event is the ability of the sailors and the boats to reach Charleston without quarantines required or other restrictions either traveling to or from the location. The event will operate in compliance with all of World Sailing’s recommendations for hosting a safe regatta for the participants. IM24CA will provide regular updates as to the planning and status of the event and is very mindful of the advance planning required by the teams participating.
For all of us, this has been an unprecedented and unpredictable year! Fortunately, many of us have been able to sail and race this past summer, while, unfortunately, racing has been extremely limited or impossible in other locations in the world during the pandemic.
I wish you all well and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event.
May 22, 2020 – The World Council of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), which consists of the National Class Association chairs and the IM24CA Executive Committee, voted to move the schedule of the title events out one year. This means that the 2020 World and European Championships that would have been held in 2020 will now be held in the same venues in 2021. The schedule for 2021 will move to 2022 and so on.
The decision to postpone the schedule was taken following several discussions between the local events organising committees, with the final approval from postponement taken after the voting of IM24CA World Council earlier this week. The reason for the postponement is the Corona virus outbreak and all the uncertainties it introduced.
The class deeply regrets this situation with addressing the message of Laura Grondin, the Chair of the International Melges 24 Class Association.
“I know that you will not be surprised, but that you will be disappointed. Me, too! Weeks ago, after cancelling the Worlds in Charleston, we aspired to hold a World Championship this year in Miami. We have no control over the virus or our governments’ decisions as to how to deal with it. This uncertainty leaves us without much choice, but to postpone these big events. I do sincerely hope that we will be able to race the Bacardi series this coming winter in the warm waters of Miami.
2020 Melges 24 Worlds Postponed to April 2021
I’d like to thank Randy Draftz for his willingness to pull together Melges 24 Worlds in Charleston in 2021 after all his hard work and stress over planning and then unwinding 2020. Melges 24 Worlds 2021 will be a week or two following the 2021 Charleston Race Week scheduled to be held on April 4-11. Let’s make 2021 Melges 24 Worlds a great event – plan to attend, become a sponsor!
Melges 24 Europeans 2021 are intended to be held in Portoroz, Slovenia also in the same timeframe, in the first half of September. We will publish dates as soon as we can.
2020 Melges 24 Europeans postponed to September 2021
I said it before, but it bears repeating. Our class is strong and vibrant as we share a passion for our sport and a love of the Melges 24. Let’s show that spirit by sharing our fun this summer. You can post on Facebook and Instagram and we can share it and post on the website: let’s hear who won that Wednesday night race, let’s post some photos of M24s racing or the blooper of the day, if you have the courage to share it. The strength of the class is not just about how many boats show up at a championship, but also about how many people are out there racing, practicing and striving to get better.
What I have enjoyed most about my experience with the class has been learning more about myself and my team and having the opportunity to get to know the other awesome members of the class. What have you enjoyed? What motivates you to race this boat? Share it.
Thank you to North Sails, Quantum Sails and Mauro Melandri, Director of Zerogradinord for stepping up and offering webinars for the Melges 24 class. Thank you also to the sailors who have participated in the webinars and who have kept our class vibrant by posting on Facebook and Instagram. I especially liked Miles Quinton’s post…
My best wishes to all of you for fast sailing and good health.”
With respect to other major Melges 24 Class events that remain on the schedule for 2020, the IM24CA Executive Committee remains in discussions with the local national classes and Organizing Authorities and expects to make decisions no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date for the events and will provide updates as needed.
In the meantime, IM24CA wishes all Melges 24 sailors and their families the best in these difficult times. We look forward to be back sailing as soon as we can.
The International Melges 24 Class Association is hoping that we will be able to host a World Championship in Miami, Florida in late 2020.
Obviously, our ability to make that happen is contingent upon how the worldwide COVID-19 crisis evolves. At this point, we simply want to convey our aspiration. We plan to be back in touch in about a month with more details so that teams can begin to plan.
Every single M24 sailor has been impacted by the global pandemic; some circumstances are much more extreme and severe than others.
I hope that our next shared experience will be planing through the warm waters under bright sunshine off the coast of Miami.
My best wishes for the safety and health of you, your family and your friends.
Laura Grondin Chair International Melges 24 Class Association
In light of the current global situation and feedback from local officials, the Executive Committee of the IM24CA along with Randy Draftz, our event organizer; and in consultation with Megan Ratliff, Chair of the US Melges 24 Class, reached the difficult decision today to cancel the World Championship scheduled for the beginning of May.
This was not a decision we came to lightly and we know that many of you, myself included, will be disappointed. But our first responsibility is to the health and well-being of our sailors, our staff and the community at large.
We are all in uncharted waters. We have not even experienced yet, here in the US, the quarantines and shutdowns that our European friends are living.
What I do know is that sailors are hardy and resilient, not afraid to get wet and unwilling to back down from a challenge. This is why I know that our class will emerge as a strong and vibrant organization because we share a passion for our sport and a love of our boats.
I give my sincerest thanks to Randy for his dauntless spirit and energy towards producing a world class event and through this incredibly unreal week. We are already working on our future plans and will share news as soon as we can.
If I can be of help to you, please let me know.
We do plan to issue refunds for Worlds’ registrations.
Please do take care of your family and yourselves through this challenging, unprecedented time in modern history.
My best to all of you.
Laura Grondin Chair International Melges 24 Class Association
I have written and re-written a memo to you every day this week; only to have current events change the situation.
First of all, I wish for all of our sailors and support staff and their families to be healthy.
What I am here today to say is that the status of our World championship is top of mind and an everyday pursuit to come to the best outcome for the entire class.
Please bear with us and an answer will be forthcoming shortly. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
My best to you and your families,
Laura Grondin Chair International Melges 24 Class Association
February 26, 2020 – Charleston, S.C. USA – With the 2020 Melges 24 racing season well-under way in North America, the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) in conjunction with U.S. Melges 24 Championship Events, Inc. and Regatta Management, are in full-on preparation mode for the upcoming World Championship taking place on May 1-9.
Leading the fleet up to the start of Worlds is a succession of high-profile events. These regattas are expected to draw not only a high number of entries, but perhaps begin to offer insights as to which teams will do the best on the challenging waters, currents and conditions of Charleston, South Carolina.
Sperry Charleston Race Week (April 23-26) concludes just a few days before the start of the World Championship, and is being hailed as the ‘real’ Pre-Worlds. With 45 entries received thus far, the Melges 24 is the largest Class in attendance.
The World Championship is expected to fetch that number and more. With 38 teams already registered representing seven countries (Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the United States), the speed, the fun and fantastic competition that comes along with the Melges 24 will be highly concentrated – supersonic toxic.
2019 North American Champion Travis Weisleder racing Lucky Dog. Photo @ Bill Crawford – harborpictures.com
As always at Worlds, the ultra-competitive mix of teams form a very long and distinguished list of returning Champions. All signed up and ready to go are 2019 – defending World Champion owner Gian Luca Perego with multiple champion Carlo Fracassoli at the helm of his now massively famous Maidollis, 2018 World Champion Andrea Racchelli sailing Altea, 2019 North American Champion Travis Weisleder racing Lucky Dog, 2019 U.S. Melges 24 National Champion Michael Goldfarb on Warcanoe, reigning Canadian National Champion Roger Counihan on Jaws, and 2019 U.S. National Ranking Champion owner Kevin Welch sailing MiKEY with the legendary Jeff Madrigali at the helm.
Returning to the Class after a three-year break is 2020 Melges 24 Helly Hansen St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta winner Peter Duncan sailing Relative Obscurity. The last time Duncan sailed the Melges 24 was in 2016 at the Miami Worlds where he finished top ten. According to Duncan’s tactician Victor Diaz de Leon, their strategy is to get reacquainted with the boat as quickly as possible and stay in the breeze.
The Melges 24 Class is synonymous for its all-amatuer Corinthian Division that undoubtedly will be as competitive and popular as ever in Charleston. With entries still being accepted, the entrants who qualify are yet to be determined. Event organizers are encouraging all teams that wish to qualify for the all-amatuer Corinthian Division must do so as soon as possible.
Important World Championship regatta deadlines are approaching. All teams that would like to race are encouraged to register for Worlds as soon as possible. The early entry deadline for Worlds is Sunday, March 1st. Register Online
ABOUT THE MELGES 24
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges Performance Sailboats and holds a unique position among the world’s one-design sportboats as one of the most successful classes of high performance yachts. For more information, please visit the official website of the International Melges 24 Class Association at melges24.com.
For media photos (web and/or high resolution) or class specific information about the Melges 24 at the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship, please contact:
Joy Dunigan 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, Administrator Mail: communications@usmelges24.com
Mobile: +1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah
Piret Salmistu 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Press Coordinator International Melges 24 Class Association Administrator & Media Coordinator Mobile/WhatsApp: +372 507 7217
Mail: piret@melges24.com
February 10, 2020 – Charleston, S.C. USA – With only three months to go until the start of the 2020 World Championship (1-9 May) in Charleston, South Carolina, Melges 24 teams all over the world are steadily signing up to compete. Early entry deadlines are fast approaching, and March 1st is the earliest in which teams can take advantage of the lowest entry fees. Click here to register now.
“Premier racing is what we are going for at Worlds. Charleston is a really big venue, and we have lots of options on where we can race. If you are a team that has never done a Worlds, this is your chance to experience Melges 24 racing at its most exhilarating. It is an opportunity you don’t want to miss,” says longtime Melges 24 sailor and Charleston local John Bowden.
“Randy Draftz and his race/regatta management team are the absolute best. Their goal is to make the Worlds a one of a kind event,” continued Bowden. “They are eager to address any concerns anyone has regarding racing, storage, logistics. If you have questions, they have the right answers.”
Hands down, everyone recognizes Charleston as one of the most competitive and challenging race tracks for one design, performance yacht racing. This simple fact is exactly why Charleston was selected to host the Worlds and why teams are piling onto the entry list. Teams from Canada, United States, Germany, Italy and Australia are represented so far. Click here to see the current entry list.
They want to compete at the International Melges 24 Class’ most prestigious event, but they are also pretty excited to be front and center at the 25th edition of Sperry Charleston Race Week (April 23-26). So far, 41 teams have thrown their hats into the ring making the Melges 24 Class the largest in attendance. Click here to register for Sperry Charleston Race Week.
ABOUT THE MELGES 24
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges Performance Sailboats and holds a unique position among the world’s one-design sportboats as one of the most successful classes of high performance yachts. For more information, please visit the official website of the International Melges 24 Class Association at melges24.com.
For media photos (web and/or high resolution) or class specific information about the Melges 24 at the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship, please contact:
Joy Dunigan 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, Administrator Mail: communications@usmelges24.com
Mobile: +1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah
Piret Salmistu 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Press Coordinator International Melges 24 Class Association Administrator & Media Coordinator Mobile/WhatsApp: +372 507 7217
Mail: piret@melges24.com
The 2020 Worlds is actively seeking and accepting sponsorships. If you, or a business you know would like to get in on a very cool opportunity, reap the benefits by contacting Regatta Chairman, Randy Draftz today!
Shipping your boat to Charleston and need a place where to unpack (using forklift), put together, storage your container and then road trail the boat and trailer to the marina?
Here’s for you!
High and Dry Boatworks is locally owned and operated company to help with logistics for boats getting shipped into Charleston. It’s a great place to get some work done and also storage prior the Worlds.
November 25, 2019 – Charleston, S.C. USA – The 2020 Melges 24 World Championship will take place on 1-9 May 2020, in Charleston, South Carolina. Organized by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) in conjunction with, U.S. Melges 24 Championship Events, Inc. and Regatta Management, the 5-day regatta is predicted to be one of the most well-attended Championships in recent Melges 24 Class history.
“I am really excited about the upcoming Charleston Worlds,” says Canadian Melges 24 Class President Dan Berezin – the very first competitor to sign-up to race. “It will be a great opportunity to experience an event like the World Championship in Charleston. Competing against the best teams in the world is something not to be missed.”
Newly elected and the very first woman to serve as International Class President, Laura Grondin has raced in Charleston several times. “It’s one of my favorite racing venues: strong winds, great bars and restaurants and a highly capable race management team. With only one week separating Sperry Charleston Race Week and the Worlds, the stage is set for two fantastic regattas. Join us!”
Charleston, South Carolina is best known for hosting one of the longest-running, most-successful yacht racing events in North America – Sperry Charleston Race Week. In 2020, it will celebrate an impressive 25th anniversary, and in turn for the Melges 24 Class, serve as a monumental warm-up to its World Championship happening a few days later.
“Race week has always provided the best of all worlds – entertaining and exciting shoreside activities, superior race management, bountiful sponsorship, and the ability to provide great racing in a variety of conditions – offshore and in the harbor,” says 2020 Regatta Chairman Randy Draftz. “What has also made it successful is that we listen to the sailors. We want what they want – the best racing, under the best conditions, on the right race course. We plan to do the same for the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship.”
“Mount Pleasant is very proud to host and support the Melges 24 Worlds,” says Will Haynie, Mayor, Town of Mount Pleasant, SC. “Sailing is part of the fiber of our community, and we are honored to be among the best of the best. We thank you for bringing the Worlds here.”
Teams are encouraged to get signed up as soon as possible. March 1st is the early entry deadline. The drop-dead entry deadline is 17 April 2020.
ABOUT THE 2020 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORS
The 2020 Melges 24 World Championship is proudly supported by Mount Pleasant South Carolina.
ABOUT THE MELGES 24
The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges Performance Sailboats and holds a unique position among the world’s one-design sportboats as one of the most successful classes of high performance yachts. For more information, please visit the official website of the International Melges 24 Class Association at melges24.com.
For media photos (web and/or high resolution) or class specific information about the Melges 24 at the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship, please contact:
Joy Dunigan 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, Administrator Mail: communications@usmelges24.com
Mobile: +1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah
Piret Salmistu 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Press Coordinator International Melges 24 Class Association Administrator & Media Coordinator
Mobile/WhatsApp: +372 507 7217
Mail: piret@melges24.com
