August 17, 2015 - CSR Marine US National Championship report by Duncan Stamper.

Canada was well represented by a total of seven entries out of a fleet of 36 boats at the 2015 CSR Marine Melges 24 US National Championship raced August 7-9th on the legendary Columbia River Gorge at Cascade Locks. From west to east the following boats made the trip from the Great White North: Swish, Sheva, Goes to Eleven and Lekker from Victoria, Honey Badger representing the Vancouver fleet, Eclipse out of Kelowna and Zingara putting in the longest drive from Toronto.  The regatta was well organized by the USMCA in association with the Columbia Gorge Racing Association, both to be commended on putting on a first class event!  The strength in numbers of boats came from the record 25 Corinthian (non professional) teams that travelled to the event.
 
As a warm up two Canadian boats, Swish and Goes to Eleven, raced the Columbia Gorge One Design regatta August 1-2.  Predominantly a dinghy regatta, the 16 Melges 24's to make it to the race course were the only keelboat division, but also the largest division in the regatta.  We raced a separate race course east of the dinghies.  Racing typically started in breeze in the mid teens but would build steadily into the mid twenties as the afternoon wore on.  Sunday was really nuking by the end with gusts into the low thirties.  Kevin Welch's Mikey racing out of Anacortes WA ruled the weekend with a clean sweep of seven bullets... so sad to throw out a perfectly good bullet!  Swish put in an awesome and consistent effort to finish a solid fourth, first Corinthian (although not officially recognized this regatta), and Goes to Eleven slipped back a few spots on Sunday to finish eighth.
 
The highlight of the time between events was the Melges 24 Speed Camp on Wednesday which started with an onshore briefing and Q&A from some of the world's best Melges 24 sailors around... the likes of Andy Burdick, Brian Hutchinson, Jeff Madrigali and Dan Kaseler.  We then hit the water for some starting practice, short races and straight line speed testing with on-the-water coaching from the experts.  The training session wrapped up later with dinner and beer at Thunder Island Brewing Company followed by a debrief, video playback and Q&A session.  It was a wonderful opportunity to step up the game in breeze and so refreshing to see the top teams so willing to share their take on what makes them go so fast.
 
The main event played out over the next Friday, Saturday and Sunday saw slightly tamer conditions than the CGOD had produced the previous weekend.  The first race on Friday started in 10-12 knots of wind which rose steadily into the mid twenties by the fourth and final race of the day.  Conditions were similar again on Saturday with a little less punch, however the races were long and only three were held before the fleet was sent in for the regatta banquet.  The kegs of Full Sails beer were flowing daily after racing at the CGRA's office and there was plenty of merchandise raffled off as door prizes and silent auction at the banquet.  On the final day as we left the harbour there wasn't a breath of wind and not a ripple on the water.  As we waited for the next few hours, many of us swimming to beat the heat, a small zephyr would roll through ramping up the anticipation of a race only for it to die.  Eventually around 2PM the breeze did fill in solidly to hold one final race, starting in 10-12 knots and building to a nice 15-18.
 
The top Canadian boat was Honey Badger helmed by Mike Bond finishing an awesome eighth overall and second Corinthian.  Next was Richard Ried racing Zingara in tenth overall, who despite an impressive string of top ten finishes had equipment failures in two of the eight races forcing retirement, one of which they had to count towards their final score.  Fittingly in eleventh overall, and third Corinthian was Goes to Eleven with Duncan Stamper at the helm.  Tied on points with Stamper but ending up twelfth on the tie breaker, and fourth Corinthian, was Gord Galbraith and team aboard Lekker.  Fraser McMillan at the helm of Swish rounded out the fifth place Corinthian and thirteenth overall.  Mark Noel's Eclipse finished 21st overall and 12th Corinthian and Dunnery Best with team Sheva ended the weekend in 30th overall, 20th Corinthian.
 
Glorious sunny warm weather and fresh water coupled with fantastic reliable big breeze, the Gorge is a sailing Mecca.  For those of you who didn't make it down for this one, make the effort to get down for the next big event there... it is well worth the trip!

Full Results.
Photos.


2015 CSR Marine US National Championship, Columbia Gorge Racing Association, August 07-09, 2015
Photo by Sailing Anarchy. More...


July 12, 2015 - Richard Reid and team CAN-629 Zingara win Melges 24 Canadian Championship in Windsor ON.

Richard Reid and his crew from the National Yacht Club in Toronto was crowned the Melges 24 Canadian Champion, after a hard fought 5 race series.  Although the wind did not cooperate on the final day resulting in no races for Sunday , Lake St. Clair provided a steady 6 knot wind for Friday and Saturday with some challenging shifts and currents. Zingara finished the regatta with 1 point lead over Rush owned by Mike Gozzard from Goderich ON.  Rounding out the top three was KC Shannon (Fayetteville GA) on Shaka.  Shaka also was the top Corinthian boat in the regatta.
Windsor Yacht Club and Canadian Melges 24 Class together with headline sponsor of Colchester Ridge Estate Winery were proud to have the help and sponsorship of Mount Gay Rum, Tim Hortons, Dan’s Chandlery and North Sails.
Full results.
More photos.
Video.


Team CAN-629 Zingara - Malges 24 Canadian National Champions 2015 (left to right): Richards Reid, Greg Douglas, Billy Gooderham and Scott Nixon.


June 14, 2015 - Congratulations to Richard Reid and team CAN-629 Zingara who won Toronto Area Hospice Regatta. The regatta took place in Toronto on June 13 - 14 and saw just one race on the first day due to lack of wind followed by 3 more races on the second day with 6 - 10 knots of breeze and non-stop rain. Full results.

The next big event for the Canadian East District Melges 24s is the Canadian National Championship in Windsor ON on July 10-12. There are 11 boats currently registered and we are hoping for more. To register, click here!


 April 22, 2015 - Charleston Race Week saw 21 Melges 24s this year. Bruce Ayres and team USA-747 Monsoon claimed the overall victory while Jens Wathne - NOR-800 Party Girl  won the Corinthian title. The best Canadian entry was Richard Reid on CAN-629 Zingara with the 6th place including impressive win of 2 races on day 2 of the regatta. Full results.


Team USA-747 Monsoon at Charleston Race Week 2015.


March 4, 2015 - The registration for 2015 Canadian Nationals is open now! This year the Nationals will take place in Windsor, Ontario, on July 10 - 12. Register early to help the organizers to make this a great event!

February 15, 2015 - Richard Reid and team CAN 629  - Zingara  - delivered a great performance at Helly Hansen St. Petersburg FL NOOD regatta and won the event! Zingara won 5 out of 10 races including the decisive last race. Full Results. For more photos at PhotoBoat site.


Team CAN-629 Zingara at Helly Hansen St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta


January 24, 2015 - Congratulations to Richard Reid and a team of CAN-629 Zingara with a bronze in Key West! 5 days regatta had a very competitive fleet of 12 boats representing USA, Canada, Norway, Ireland and Germany. Full results.


Quantum Key West Race Week 2015.


January 4, 2015 – The organizers of the 2015 Canadian Nationals are working on lining up event sponsors.  Melges, WEST Marine, APS, Gill, Harken, North and Quantum Sails, and Mount Gay Rum are some of the ones that we have already approached. We have also approached many local Windsor businesses, and have agreements with some. If you know of any other potential (non-Windsor) sponsors that may be interested, please feel free to email us at 2015.m24.cdns@gmail.com. Thanks!

2014

December 29, 2014 - The Minutes of the 2014 International Melges 24 World Council AGM have been published: http://melges24.com/agm2014-minutes.

November 25, 2014 - CMCA AGM chose Windsor Yacht Club to host 2015 Canadian Nationals, scheduled for July 10-12, 2015. Click here for the AGM minutes of meeting.
 

Windsor Yacht Club


November 9, 2014 - The draft agenda for 2014 CMCA AGM can be found here. The AGM will take place on November 19, at 7:30 PM EST, at National Yacht Club in Toronto ON. Skype conference will be available for out of town participants.

October 8, 2014 - The nominations for CMCA Board of Governors are now accepted. The current nominations are as follows (updated on November 16):

1. Mr. Andrei Sokolski - CAN 4 - Shaping - for the Technical Officer. Andrei has been fulfilling this position successfully for the last 2 years. Nominated by Dan Berezin.

2. Mr. Dan Berezin - CAN 262 - Surprise - for Secretary/Treasurer. Has been at this role for the last 2 years. Nominated by Andrei Sokolski.

3. Mr. Paul Mais - CAN 218 - DVS - for the President. Nominated by Dan Berezin.

4. Mr. Marc Noel - CAN 275 - Eclipse - for the Vice President. Nominated by Mike Brewis.

October 6, 2014 - Thermopyleae Regatta report by Duncan Stamper.

A solid fleet of 12 Melges 24's plied the waters off Cattle Point this past weekend in Royal Victoria Yacht Club's annual Thermopylae Regatta.  Unfortunately the conditions weren't as strong as the fleet.

Saturday brought glass calm conditions with only the long distance PHRF fleet barely managing to get a current assisted race off.  This race was eventually shortened at the Johnson Reef turning mark as none of the fleet could make it back to the finish within the time limit against the current.  It was like watching a rubber ducky race as the fleet slowly disappeared around Ten Mile Point on their way out.  The around the buoys fleets sat out for two on the water postponements broken up in the middle with a stint on shore.  There was a brief glimmer of hope as a zephyr filled in and the RC quickly rolled into a sequence, however, by the time we started the pressure was waning and had backed so far left spinnakers were being launched at the gun.  The race was abandoned only minutes later and we were thankfully spared the agony of a drifter.  Saturday night the roast beef dinner was well attended and the party rolled late into the evening with the Ted Morrissey Band rocking out the crowd.

On Sunday five races were held in a light, shifty and often patchy localized northerly in Cadboro Bay.  Local Gord Galbraith and team aboard Lekker picked their way expertly through the challenging conditions tallying up 3 wins on their way to win the regatta with 7 points.  In second place and only one point behind was Herb Cole and crew on Midsummer from Seattle.  Rounding out the top three with 9 points was Duncan Stamper and team racing Goes to Eleven.  Despite the light and challenging conditions there was some great tight racing with positions changing hands all the time.  Kudos to Heather Abel and her organizing committee for putting on a first class event and a big thanks to PRO Paul Ulibarri and race committee for their patience and persistence.


September 24, 2014 - Dear CMCA Members,

CMCA AGM is planned for November 19, 2014. The current Board of Governors 2 years term is over at the end of the year. Feel free to nominate your candidates to the Board. 
The Board of Governors shall consist of each District Governor, the President, the Vice President, the Technical Officer, the Secretary/Treasurer and the Communications Officer.

This is also a time to submit proposals/nominations to the upcoming IMCA AGM. CMCA to submit the proposals until October 10. Please contact CMCA by email: info@melges24.ca

June 17, 2014 - Redpath Toronto Area Hospice Regatta was hosted by National Yacht Club on June 15-16. 8 races have been raced in light winds. Richard Reid and team CAN-629 "Zingara" finished first followed by Dan Berezin - CAN-262 "Surprise" and Dave Black - CAN-121 "Black Dog". Congratulations to the winners!

Full results.
Photos.


June 16, 2014 - 2014 Blackline Marine Melges 24 Canadian National Championship completed today in Victoria, BC. Jeff Madrigali at the helm of Kevin Welch's USA-838 "Mikey Black" dominated the regatta with 7 bullets in 9 races. Stig Osterberg - USA-401 "Midsummer" won silver, the bronze went to Deltan Bergan - USA-26 "Brio". The top Canadian team is at 5th place: Fraser McMillan at the helm of Neil Stuart's CAN-151 "Area-151".


2014 Blackline Marine Canadian Melges 24 Champions, left to right: Joy Sloan, Ian Sloan and Kevin Welch (missing Jeff Madrigali and Bryn Bachman)


Here is a regatta report by Alex Fox, the helmsman of CAN-246 "Gravy":

The 2014 Blackline Marine Melges 24 Canadian Championships was a huge success with 30 boats registered and twenty-nine making it to the start line. The event was hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (Esquimalt). This partnership has worked extremely well in the past, previously hosting World Championships for the Tasar, Fireball and Thunderbird classes, among other big regattas.
The committee's wish list for a June regatta, included the brisk westerly winds that Victoria is known for......Well let me tell you, The Westerly showed and then some!  Friday started out in 10-15 and by the last leg of race two, boats were skipping downwind at close to 20 knots! The winds continued to puff up to 25-30, exceeding the mandated upper limit and eventually PRO, Paul Ullibari had no choice but to send the fleet ashore. Day one belonged mostly to Kevin Welch's "Mikey (Black)" from Anacortes WA, with Olympic medalist Jeff Madrigali at the helm. They posted a strong 1,2, a foreshadowing of things to come. The other top performer on day one was "Brio" helmed by one-design ace Dalton Bergen, with In- law Carl Buchan calling tactics. The stage was set for some great racing yet to come.
Day two dawned with a slightly lighter forecast and a new spectator vessel on the race course. The USS Nimitz , yes the aircraft carrier, was anchored smack dab in the middle of our race area, yikes! This was not a surprise, as organizers were informed of its arrival in advance. It did however mean the course would have to be set further south and west in order not to infringe on the restricted zone around the giant ship. Race three started in an unassuming 8-10 knots and the first leg provided a minefield of shifts, first the left then the right, then the left coming in big with puffs up to fifteen. The regatta leader rounded just out of the top ten, gybe set, found a great puff down the Albert Head shore and were soon contesting the lead with early leader "Area 151" skippered  by young up and comer, Victoria  Sailmaker Fraser McMillan. This was the shiftiest race of the regatta, with holes and puffs ranging from 5-20. Again, it was Mikey Black at the finish..... Fast and smart! 
Races four through six were sailed in Champaign conditions. 15-25 knots, enough current to make laylines tough to call, yet relatively equal across the course, meaning one side wasn't necessarily always favoured. The flood current however really separated the fleet as boats rounded the weather mark, which was a good thing, as the committee abandoned their attempts to set a reliable offset and gate, due to the water depth, current and big winds. Wipeouts were plenty and boat handling skills and experience were absolutely required for any chance of a top finish.  One crew member went for a swim, but he was soon back onboard to race again. This was one tough, rewarding, punishing, exhilarating, exhausting race day. Guess what?....Four races, four bullets for the "Mikey Black" juggernaut....could anyone challenge their dominance? One day to go!
Day three and can you believe it, the wind forecast is for fifteen building to twenty. Our wise PRO decided that a change of scenery was in order, announcing that the start would be moved southeast along the Victoria waterfront, to an area known as Clover Point. This was an everyone wins scenario; no more "big obstruction" to deal with, spectators were in for a treat and racers would get a different look on the race course. Race one started again in 8-10 knots and an ebb current (with the boats on the upwind) For those not familiar with racing in tidal areas, this meant current against wind and a chop considerably larger than the wind strength might normally merit. The left side of the course came good with "Brio" rounding in first place. For my crew on "Gravy" this was an exciting moment, rounding for the first time in the top group. Strangely the wind receded for the first time in the event, leading to the entire fleet to make a beeline for the shore and current relief. "Brio" continued to sail a masterful race, defending their lead throughout, with regatta second place "Midsummer" helmed by Herb Cole,  slotting into second. This was our regatta highlight, hanging in for third. As we all approached the finish, there was one lonely boat sailing around ....My goodness, It's "Mikey Black", having fallen victim to the black flag at the start! A small sliver of hope for the other contenders perhaps?
Well that may have been wishful thinking, as the wind came back and that was all it took for the string of bullets to continue. "Mikey Black" left no doubt, rolling to two more dominant wins in the 15-20 knot winds. They reacted well to a change in current halfway through race eight, shifting the favour to the right side upwind. They would not be denied. Runner up "Midsummer" posted a string of second places and a score line good enough to win most regattas and "Brio" won the only two races that "Mikey Black" didn't, coming in third and rounding out the podium. "Area 151 was the top Canadian boat , placing fifth in this tough fleet that counted former Olympic, World, North American, National and Regional champions in its ranks. 
This was a fantastic event with perfect conditions,  great socials and prizes, with competitors coming from as far away as Wisconsin. Congratulations to the winners, the organizing clubs and the Northwest Fleet for making the first Canadian Championship a memorable one!
Full results. 
Click here for regatta photos.


The winners of 2014 Canadian Nationals - team "Mikey Black".

June 14, 2014 - 2014 Canadian Nationals started yesterday in Victoria BC. 30 boats from Canada and USA are racing in a 3 days event. After two races Kevin Welch on USA-838 "Mikey Black" took an early lead posting 1 and 2 finishes. Manfred Schmiedl - USA-26 "Brio" - at second with 6 and 1, followed by Fraser McMillan at the helm of Neil Stuart's CAN-151 "Area 151". The races are scheduled to continue on Saturday and Sunday. Full results: http://www.rvyc.bc.ca/Melges24Canadians2014/results/

June 8, 2014 - 2014 Canadian Forces Sailing Association Regatta completed in Victoria, BC. Seattle's Herb Cole and team "Judo Chop" won with 4 bullets in 9 races. Gordon Shannon, CAN 591 - "Honey Budger" - took silver by tie break with Duncan Stamper's CAN 11 - "Goes to 11" in third. Results.


CSFA 2014

June 6, 2014 - Today is the last day to take advantage of an early bird discount when registering for 2014 Blackline Marine Melges 24 Canadian National Championship! Register on-line at http://www.rvyc.bc.ca/Melges24Canadians2014/ to join 30 boats that already registered for this great event.

April 13, 2014 - Charleston Race Week completed today. Richard Reid and team CAN-629 "Zingara" takes the 6th place in a competitive fleet of 23 boats. Click herefor full results. Photos.

March 15, 2014 - This year Canadian National Championship is coming to the West Coast for the first time. Read the press-release from the Organizing Committee:

Join us for breeze and history at the 2014 Melges 24 Canadian Nationals  (June 13-15).  This regatta is co-hosted by  the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and theCanadian Forces Sailing Association. Racing will take place on Royal Roads, on the edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, slightly more than 10 nautical miles from RVYC. (For more details and on-line registration, please visit http://www.rvyc.bc.ca/Melges24Canadians2014/ ).  This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy beautiful Victoria in its finest season.
Historic Royal Roads, originally named as a naval anchorage, is a large and unobstructed body of water with a prominent southwesterly wind, and Washington State's Olympic Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop to the south. It is considered to be one of the top sailing venues in Canada.  We expect to host 25 Melges teams drawn locally and from throughout the Canadian and U.S. Pacific NW, who will compete in a ten-race series conducted over three days. International Race Officer Paul Ulibarri and his team will manage the course.
The Melges racing fleet will rig and launch at RVYC. Thanks to our good friends at Canadian Forces Sailing Association, boats will  then moor at the CFSA facility, adjacent to the Canadian Forces naval base in Esquimalt for the duration of the regatta. The Royal Roads racing venue is immediately adjacent to the Esquimalt entrance.
Competitors will enjoy a Friday evening BBQ at CFSA, and a Saturday night dinner at RVYC. Haul-out and awards will be at RVYC.  Bus transportation between the clubs will be provided by regatta organizers. Please see our website for further details. Billeting will be provided on a first come-first served basis.

March 9, 2014 - Madrigali/Welch take the win at Bacardi; Richard Reid - CAN-629 - "Zingara", takes the 4th.

February 2, 2014 - The final race of the Worlds was not sailed due to lack of wind. Click here for the final regatta report.

February 1, 2014 - We have a new World Champion! Flavio Favini and SUI-825 "Blu Moon" team secured the overall victory and don't need to sail the last race scheduled for Sunday. The contest for the vice-champion title will be between Harry Melges' USA-841 "Star" team and Bora Gulari's USA-820 "West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes", teams being just one point apart. Chris Larson and CAN-795 "CAVILLINO / MCLUBE" also have slim chances to take the podium spot. Click here for the current results.


SUI-825 "Blu Moon" - 2014 World Champion.

January 24, 2014 - Quantum Key West Regatta completed today. The Italian team ITA-798 "Little Wing" owned by Nicola Ardito, helmsman Enrico Zennaro,  won the Gold with 9 straight bullets. Thomas Ritter, USA-708 "Tramp" took the Silver and our fellow Canadian Richard Reid, CAN-629 "Zingara" won the Bronze. Congratulations to the winners!
Full results.


CAN-629 "Zingara" at the start at Key West 2014.

January 16, 2014 - 2014 Melges 24 Canadian Nationals website is up!
This will be held in Victoria, June 12-15. NOR and other details coming soon!
http://www.rvyc.bc.ca/Melges24Canadians2014/


Royal Victoria Yacht Club