International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) postpones the Championship schedule
by IM24CA 23 May 14:09 BST
Melges 24 fleet at the final event of the 2019 Melges 24 European Sailing Series - 2019 Melges 24 World Championship in Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy. © Pierrick Contin / IM24CA
The World Council of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), which consists of the National Class Association chairs and the IM24CA Executive Committee, voted to move the schedule of the title championship events out one year.
This means that the 2020 World and European Championships that would have been held in 2020 will now be held in the same venues in 2021. The schedule for 2021 will move to 2022 and so on.
The decision to postpone the schedule was taken following several discussions between the local events organising committees, with the final approval from postponement taken after the voting of IM24CA World Council earlier this week. The reason for the postponement is the Corona virus outbreak and all the uncertainties it introduced.
The class deeply regret this situation with addressing the message of Laura Grondin, the Chair of the International Melges 24 Class Association.
"I know that you will not be surprised, but that you will be disappointed. Me, too! Weeks ago, after cancelling the Worlds in Charleston, we aspired to hold a World Championship this year in Miami. We have no control over the virus or our governments' decisions as to how to deal with it. This uncertainty leaves us without much choice, but to postpone these big events. I do sincerely hope that we will be able to race the Bacardi series this coming winter in the warm waters of Miami.
I'd like to thank Randy Draftz for his willingness to pull together Melges 24 Worlds in Charleston in 2021 after all his hard work and stress over planning and then unwinding 2020. Melges 24 Worlds 2021 will be a week or two following the 2021 Charleston Race Week scheduled to be held on April 4-11. Let's make 2021 Melges 24 Worlds a great event - plan to attend, become a sponsor! Melges 24 Europeans 2021 are intended to be held in Portoroz, Slovenia also in the same timeframe, in the first half of September. We will publish dates as soon as we can.
I said it before, but it bears repeating. Our class is strong and vibrant as we share a passion for our sport and a love of the Melges 24. Let's show that spirit by sharing our fun this summer. You can post on Facebook and Instagram and we can share it and post on the website: let's hear who won that Wednesday night race, let's post some photos of M24s racing or the blooper of the day, if you have the courage to share it. The strength of the class is not just about how many boats show up at a championship, but also about how many people are out there racing, practicing and striving to get better.
What I have enjoyed most about my experience with the class has been learning more about myself and my team and having the opportunity to get to know the other awesome members of the class. What have you enjoyed? What motivates you to race this boat? Share it.
Thank you to North Sails, Quantum Sails and Mauro Melandri, Director of Zerogradinord for stepping up and offering webinars for the Melges 24 class. Thank you also to the sailors who have participated in the webinars and who have kept our class vibrant by posting on Facebook and Instagram. I especially liked Miles Quinton's post...
My best wishes to all of you for fast sailing and good health."
With respect to other major Melges 24 Class events like European Sailing Series, that remain on the schedule for 2020, the IM24CA Executive Committee remains in discussions with the local national classes and Organizing Authorities and expects to make decisions no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date for the events and will provide updates as needed.
In the meantime, IM24CA wishes all Melges 24 sailors and their families the best in these difficult times. We look forward to be back sailing as soon as we can.
Follow the information about Melges 24 title events: