2021 Melges 24 Worlds Prepared for New Regatta Normal

February 26, 2021 – Charleston, S.C. USA – Earlier this month, the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) confidently announced it would move forward with conducting the 2021 World Championship on April 9-17 in Charleston, S.C., immediately following Charleston Race Week (read full statement). My how time flies. As hard as it may be to believe, it has been a full year since the originally scheduled event was officially postponed due to the progressing COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Our goal is to ensure opportunities for our sailors to sail and race their boats, where and when they can — safely,” said Laura Grondin, IM24CA Chairwoman. “We understand that perhaps not everyone will be able to attend or travel as easily as in the past, but many can. Charleston offers some of the most exciting and challenging racing conditions in the world, and we are excited to offer this opportunity to compete.”

Early Spring weather makes Charleston the ideal venue for World Championship racing. While the Class prefers racing inside the harbor, the event maintains the option to race offshore in which case, every boat will be towed. In every other case, towing to the race course will not be permitted.

“We are working very hard to make sure this event is the absolute best it can be,” says Randy Draftz, 2021 Worlds Regatta Chair. “We are putting all the necessary protocols into place to make it enjoyable and safe for everyone. The racing on Charleston Harbor will certainly be spectacular, and with Charleston Race Week serving as a warm-up to Worlds, teams will have lots of opportunities to prepare, tune and adapt.”

“We are poised and ready to assist teams who want to race. We can help with issuing travel invitations and/or helping teams make their plans in Charleston, for both Charleston Race Week and Worlds. Whatever we can do to help, we are here.”

Can’t travel with your boat? For those experiencing tighter border restrictions than others, the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) has procured a very nice selection of used boats available for charter in the U.S. which can be found online at usmelges24.com.

The early entry deadline for Worlds is February 28, 2021, with the final entry deadline for Open and Corinthian teams on April 3rd, so there is still plenty of time to register, plan and participate.

Official 2020 Melges 24 World Championship Website
Online Regatta Registration

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ABOUT THE 2021 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORS

The 2021 Melges 24 World Championship is proudly supported by Quantum Sails, Mount Pleasant South Carolina, High and Dry Boat Works, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel, Sail22, Vakaros and the Northern Michigan Melges 24 Fleet.

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 2021 Melges 24 World Championship, please contact:

Joy Dunigan
2021 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, Administrator 
Mobile: +1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah

Piret Salmistu
2021 Melges 24 World Championship Press Coordinator
International Melges 24 Class Association Administrator, Press Officer/Coordinator
Mobile: +372 507 7217
Skype: piret.salmistu

2021 Melges 24 World Championship will take place as scheduled in Charleston, SC

February 5, 2021 – Charleston, SC, USA – The Executive Committee of the IM24CA has had multiple conversations and has made the decision to proceed as planned with the 2021 World Championship in Charleston, SC USA. 

Dear Melges 24 sailors,

I am pleased to confirm that we are proceeding with the 2021 World Championship, in April as scheduled in Charleston, SC.  Registration is open – please register

Piret Salmistu, our international class coordinator and Randy Draftz, the regatta chair can issue invitations to sailors who need them to come to the Worlds and will help interested teams make their plans.  Please note that that there is currently no quarantining requirement to enter South Carolina or the adjoining US states.

There are charter boats available – check out the USM24CA website.  And, if you have a boat, consider listing it for charter.

In order to proceed with this event during these unusual times, the event will strictly comply with COVID protocols for the safety of all concerned. Social celebrations and gatherings will not be held, and all participants are encouraged to employ the greatest consideration for everyone’s health.

Nothing is usual now and, frankly, as much as we all want a return to our old normal, we are experiencing a new normal and will have a yet unknown future new normal.  But sailing and sailboat racing will continue to be an important part of our lives, of that, I am certain.  And, your class leadership will do our collective best to continue to provide opportunities for our sailors to race.

My deepest thanks to Randy Draftz for sticking with the Melges 24 class and organizing the Worlds.  And, my thanks to the Executive Committee and our supporters for their thoughtful comments and questions to reach this point.

My best to all of the sailors and supporters of our class!

Laura Grondin
IM24CA Chair