Melges 24 Magic at 25th Charleston Race Week
April 8, 2021 - Charleston, SC, USA - For the Melges 24, there is nothing quite like the anticipation of Charleston Race Week. It has become a massive, highlight event that elevates the level of fun and competition so high, it is powerful enough to set the momentum for the entire racing season. For 2021, the Melges 24 makes a grand entrance as the largest fleet in attendance. Thirty-four teams are fired-up and ready to race, just itching to get on that starting line and GO!
Among the top competitors participating are defending Champion Travis Weisleder on Lucky Dog, Bruce Ayres’ Monsoon, Brian Porter on Full Throttle, Bora Gulari on New England Ropes and KC Shannon’s Shaka. Each has experienced previous success in Charleston, and they are back looking for victory.
The all-amatuer division in Charleston never disappoints. Heated competition is on the agenda between defending Corinthian Champion Megan Ratliff with her brother Hunter steering Decorum, and some of their toughest opponents such as Roger Counihan’s Jaws, Steve Suddath’s 3 ½ Men, Tony Stanley on Hermes, and Michael Lenkeit with his great friend William Morang at the helm of Rapscallion.
The Melges 24 Class is always thrilled to welcome and foster a little slice of the future of sailing. A vibrant array of talented youth sailing teams will join the fleet in Charleston.
Two teams are representing Oakcliff Sailing (Andres Guerra and Ethan Johnson), two more from ONE°15 Brooklyn Sail Club (Kerry Gendron and James Hannah), one entry from Lake Lanier Sailing Club (Davis McLeod), and another from the Mudratz club (Jack Derry - pictured above). The young and aspiring Bridgette Croke (below) also returns in 2021 at the helm of her dad's (Patrick Croke) Melges 24 Crazy Train.
In a fleet 34 strong, there will be one competitor greatly missed this year. Charleston was one of his most favorite regattas. George Haynie, past Treasurer for the U.S. Melges 24 Class, owner of USA-687 Firewater passed unexpectedly last week. George had been in the Melges 24 fleet for as long as anyone can remember. He was deeply passionate about the Melges 24, so kind and generous with his time. We will miss him and his great big smile. This one’s for you George!
GOLD CUP IS BACK, APRIL 13-15
After the World Championship had to be, unfortunately, cancelled due to circumstances beyond the Class’ control, the fleet bounced back with an alternate event — the resurrection of the Gold Cup Regatta. Eleven teams have registered for what will be a fun, relaxed, yet intense event. As if one weekend of sailing in Charleston is not enough, here comes the fantastic Gold Cup where the Melges 24s will have the harbor all to themselves! View the Event on Yachtscoring.
U.S. MELGES 24 NATIONAL RANKING SERIES ROCKS ON
Both Charleston Race Week and the Gold Cup are designated as 2021 USM24CA National Ranking Series events. The stakes are high, but it is early in the season. Ten events are scheduled throughout the year and across the country. Check out the latest results with one event complete: 2021 National Ranking Series Results.
HOW TO WATCH AND ENJOY CHARLESTON RACE WEEK AND GOLD CUP FROM A DISTANCE
There are several ways to stay on top of racing developments at Charleston Race Week:
ZOOM Race Broadcasting by Quantum Sails
All Charleston Race Week racing coverage will be on the same ZOOM meeting. During the racing, viewers can join and move between rooms. TracTrac tracking will also be shared by a co-host in each breakout room. For circles with multiple fleets, the co-host will change the tracking shown to match with the commentator coverage.
Visit this link to register: https://bit.ly/CRW2021ZOOM
Use this Passcode: CRW2021
TracTrac
For those that prefer to just see the TracTrac coverage only: Visit this Link
Official Charleston Race Week Website
YachtScoring Results Website
Melges 24 Entry List
TOP FIVE 2021 NATIONAL RANKING SERIES RESULTS
(PRELIMINARY - After 1 Event)
1. Bora Gulari, New England Ropes: 17 pts.
2. Travis Weisleder, Lucky Dog: 16 pts.
3. Bruce Ayres, Monsoon: 15 pts.
4. Peter Duncan, Raza Mixta: 14 pts.
5. John Brown, Blind Squirrel: 13 pts.
View Full 2021 USM24NRS Results
View 2021 Official USM24NRS Website
Travis Weisleder, Lucky Dog - Defending Melges 24 Charleston Race Week Champion
Megan Ratliff, Decorum- Defending Melges 24 Charleston Race Week Corinthian Champion
Michael Lenkeit’s Rapscallion battles around the offset with Tony Stanley’s Hermes
Bridgette Croke at the helm of Crazy Train
