2019 Melges 24 North American Championship - Good Melges 24 North American Ranking Vibrations
06.08.2019
August 5, 2019 - Traverse City, Michigan, USA - The biggest, most major event of the season in North America for the Melges 24 Class is now a short two weeks away from its start. Corinthian teams looking to qualify for the all-amateur division continue with getting crew member sailor classifications from World Sailing confirmed, and the selection process, scheduling and notifications for random boat measurement are well underway.
Adding fuel to the starter flames, the North American Championship (NAC) is the sixth event on the hotly contested 2019 U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) National Ranking Circuit. Proudly to date it includes the participation of 66 teams representing all four corners of the United States, and international inclusions from Canada and Europe. View the Full 2019 U.S. Melges 24 National Ranking Results.
The NAC is also Event No. 2 on the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) North American Championship Series Circuit.
Travis Weisleder's Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team is holding second position in the 2019 U.S. National Ranking Series - photo ©CRW/Zerogradinord - 2019 Sperry Charleston Race Week
So far it has been a heated and dramatic season of racing. Italy's Andrea Pozzi at the helm of Bombarda took the first lead of the year at Bacardi's Melges 24 Winter Series Event No. 2. Then, Bruce Ayres' Monsoon and Travis Weisleder's Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team stepped up and into the top spot together, tied with equal points after Sperry Charleston Race Week. Weisleder seized opportunity at the U.S. Nationals, finishing second overall and taking a slim one-point lead.
Bruce Ayres' Monsoon is completing the provisional podium of the 2019 U.S. National Ranking Series - photo ©CRW/Zerogradinord - 2019 Sperry Charleston Race Week
Kevin Welch with helmsman Jeff Madrigali on MiKEY is the current leader of the 2019 U.S. National Ranking Series - photo ©CRW/Zerogradinord - 2019 Sperry Charleston Race Week
Two completed events later, Kevin Welch with helmsman Jeff Madrigali on MiKEY put in the time to race the Columbia Gorge One Design Regatta (CGOD) in late July. The CGOD marked the first event on the 2019 Melges 24 West Coast Championship Series, but most importantly, catapulted Welch from fourth overall into the lead position.
Post NAC, only two events remain on the National Ranking Circuit - the California Cup hosted by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club on September 13-15, and the Canadian National Championship happens in Ontario, Canada on September 19-22.
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The Melges 24 North American Championship is supported by Hagerty Insurance, Quantum Sails, Boston Whaler, Mercedes-Benz, Melges Performance Sailboats, Costa, Baird Wealth Management, Irish Boat Shop, TruNorth Financial Group, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Bevanda Products, Sail22, Good & Ugly, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA), Folgarelli's, The Center Plastic Surgery and Skin Care, Crew Facility Services, Snowden Commercial, West Bay Boatworks, Off Grid Food Co., Third Coast Insurance Agency, Ellibee Irrigation and Prestige Worldwide.
ABOUT THE MELGES 24
The Melges 24 is best known for its competitive disposition, yet fun and easy-to-sail personality. Since its inception, to this very day, it remains the leader in high-performance, one design sailing. Melges Performance Sailboats joined forces with Reichel/Pugh to deliver the ground-breaking Melges 24 in 1993. They pioneered the next frontier of competitive yacht racing by integrating high-tech materials and concepts used in the America's Cup into a sportboat that was fun, affordable, easy to rig, set-up and tow. Named Boat of the Year in 1994 by Sailing World Magazine, it raised the bar and set the standard in the performance keelboat category. For delivery and purchasing a new Melges 24, visit melges.com. For more information, please visit the official website of the International Melges 24 Class Association at melges24.com.
ABOUT THE U.S. MELGES 24 NATIONAL RANKING SERIES
Organized and managed by the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA), the National Ranking Series (USM24NRS) features a total of eight high-profile, world-class events happening in the U.S. and Canada. Specifically, the Series is designed to promote local, as well as international participation across all six districts that make up the U.S. Melges 24 Class and beyond. To learn more about the USM24NRS, visit the Official U.S. Melges 24 National Ranking Series Website for a full list of events, results and news. The USM24CA is a recognized National Class Authority of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), melges24.com
Organized and managed by the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA), the National Ranking Series (USM24NRS) features a total of eight high-profile, world-class events happening in the U.S. and Canada. Specifically, the Series is designed to promote local, as well as international participation across all six districts that make up the U.S. Melges 24 Class and beyond. To learn more about the USM24NRS, visit the Official U.S. Melges 24 National Ranking Series Website for a full list of events, results and news. The USM24CA is a recognized National Class Authority of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), melges24.com
ABOUT THE NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Organized and managed by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), the North American Championship Series consists of three events - the U.S. Nationals, the NAC and the Canadian Nationals. To learn more about the North American Championship Series, visit the Official North American Championship Series Website.
Organized and managed by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), the North American Championship Series consists of three events - the U.S. Nationals, the NAC and the Canadian Nationals. To learn more about the North American Championship Series, visit the Official North American Championship Series Website.
For media photos (web and/or high resolution) or class specific information about the Melges 24 at the 2019 Melges 24 North American Championship, please contact:
Joy Dunigan
2019 Melges 24 North American Championship Press Officer
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, Communications Director
2019 Melges 24 North American Championship Press Officer
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, Communications Director
Email: communications@usmelges24.com
Mobile: +1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah
Skype: joysavannah
Piret Salmistu
2019 Melges 24 North American Championship Press Coordinator
International Melges 24 Class Association Administrator, Media Coordinator
International Melges 24 Class Association Administrator, Media Coordinator
Mobile: +372 507 7217
Email: piret@melges24.com
