Brian Porter’s Full Throttle USA749 Wins Fall Championship

The 2014 Melges 24 Fall Championship took place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on October 3-5 with Brian Porter’s Full Throttle taking top honors. Seattle’s Kevin Welch on Mikey took second, while long-time Melges 24 owner John Schumacher’s Muskegon claimed third.

Eighteen teams converged on Lake Geneva — the birthplace of the Melges 24 and as usual this event did not disappoint! Teams competed over two days while PRO Mike Sherin being assisted by his wife Diane, fired off six exciting races with no recalls. Teams traveled from around the Midwest, Toronto, Canada, Tampa, Florida and Seattle, Washington to sail in 18-22 mph breeze that sustained throughout the weekend. The sailing conditions were perfect for the Melges 24 and add to that, the often challenging sometimes confounded intricacies that lake sailing offers. Most of all, this regatta showcased what to expect at the forthcoming U.S. National Championship that will be hosted at Lake Geneva in 2016.

Through the amazing efforts of many volunteers, the Lake Geneva Yacht Club (LGYC) managed to pull off this genuinely first class event without a physical clubhouse. The old facility was torn down making room for a new expanded facility — the Buddy Melges Sailing Center, as the club amps up for 2015 and the 2016 Melges 24 U.S. Nationals. Not having a facility didn't make much of a difference; however, as this fleet came to Geneva to sail their Melges 24! Nothing can be better!

TOP FIVE RESULTS (FINAL - After Six Races) 
1.) Brian Porter, Full Throttle; 1-1-2-1-1-1 = 7 
2.) Kevin Welch, Mikey; 2-2-4-2-2-2 = 14 
3.) John Schumacher, Muskegon; 5-5-1-6-3-7 = 27 
4.) Mike Dow, Flying Toaster; 3-6-7-3-6-5 = 30 
5.) August Hernandez, High Voltage; 8-4-10-5-4-3 = 34 
View Full Results