Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

An interview with Charlie Usher on the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta

by David Schmidt 20 Jun 2024 16:00 BST June 29-30, 2024
Melges 15 action on the waters off of Savannah, Georgia, ahead of the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta © the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta

Sailing has always been a sport that encourages lifelong participation, and it's great to see regattas that are inclusive of sailors of all ages. One example of this is the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta (June 29-30), which is being hosted by the Savannah Yacht Club and contested on the waters off of the beautiful and historic city of Savannah, Georgia.

The event is open to Optimists, Sunfish, and—as part of its moniker implies—Melges 15s. Racing will take place on two courses, one for the Optis and Sunfish, while the faster-moving Melges 15s will have their own playground.

In both cases, the RCs will be setting windward-leewards or windward-leewards with a dogleg finish.

I checked in with Charlie Usher, who serves as event chair of the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta, via email, to learn more about this exciting One Design regatta.

Can you please give us a bit of history on the Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta? Also, given the regatta's dates, would I be correct in thinking that the event's name is a reference to upcoming 4th of July celebrations? If not, where does this colorful moniker come from?

The Firecracker is the Savannah Yacht Club's longest standing regatta stretching back over 100 years. Initially it was held around the Fourth of July, but now it is held on a weekend not on or near the 4th because so many family gatherings occur that weekend.

The M15 is our newest fleet and part of the newly established SAYRA (South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association) M15 Regional Series with regattas in Wrightsville Beach, Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte and Columbia. This class is one of the fastest growing sportboat fleets in the country!

What's the scene like at the regatta? Is it a blend of juniors and adults?

[It's a] mix of juniors and adults in the Sunfish and M15 fleets. Juniors [race] in the Optimist [class].

What kind of entry numbers are you seeing ahead of this year's event? Also, of the three competing classes, what are the individual class number breakdowns looking like?

[Our] expected turnout [is]: M15 - 20+ boats Optimist - 10 boats Sunfish - 10 boats

Weather-wise, what kind conditions can sailors typically expect to encounter off on the waters of the Wilmington and/or Skidaway rivers in late June? What are the best-case and worst-case weather scenarios?

In Savannah, we have a typical coastal weather pattern with 0-10 mph gradient breeze in the morning and 10-15 mph sea breeze in the afternoon.

Sometimes a late front or an early tropical depression will brush us with 25+ mph winds.

Do you see local knowledge playing a big or small role in the regatta's outcome? Can you please explain?

Two rivers converge on our course, which can make local knowledge helpful during the outgoing tides. The local sailors share their knowledge and frequently give a pre-race talk on local conditions/tides.

If you could offer one piece of advice to visiting (and local) sailors, what would it be?

Please come race with us and come to enjoy Savannah and Tybee Island! Savannah is an historic planned city with shaded squares and beautiful live oak trees, many wonderful food options, and true Southern charm.

Can you tell us about any efforts that you and the other regatta organizers have made to try to lower the regatta's environmental footprint or otherwise green-up the regatta?

I like to award functional trophies (engraved glasses), which one can use until it breaks. These glasses also serve as a constant reminder of the event. We have tried to get away from plastic water bottles but post-Covid this has been difficult. We usually pack lunches in cardboard boxes, which many sailors have come to associate with the Savannah Yacht Club.

Also, sailors are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles, which they can fill at the club.

Is there anything else that you'd like to add about the 2024 Firecracker and Melges 15 Regatta, for the record?

We emphasize excellent safe race management, multiple races and fun!

Related Articles

Double Trouble during Sassnitz SailGP Practice
Brazil hull collapses and French rudder flies off There was drama in Sassnitz during SailGP practice racing as firstly the French SailGP Team's starboard rudder broke off during a windward mark bear away, and then on the same leg Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team nose dived, with the main crossbeam collapsing. Posted on 15 Aug
Kiel Canal to get to Portsmouth?
Is this Holcim PRB & Allagrande Mapei answer to make The Ocean Race Europe Leg 2 start? While the five IMOCA yachts still racing in Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe are closing in on Portsmouth, the race is on for Holcim PRB and Allagrande Mapei to do their repairs after their crash at the start. Posted on 12 Aug
Double Down
Rahan, Léon, and Toucan - all great efforts, all winners, and all oceans apart Still blown away by the incredible efforts of Rahan in the Transpac, and now there is Léon in the Fastnet, and here in Australia, Toucan scores int he Sydney to Gold Coast race Posted on 10 Aug
A Day at the Keyhaven Regatta!
A montage of the sailing and surroundings which I hope you enjoy Sunday saw the first races of the 2025 Keyhaven Regatta at Keyhaven Yacht Club, a small club at the western end of the Solent in the UK. It also happens to be where I do my sailing from! Posted on 10 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon... Posted on 4 Aug
Of Ospreys, Eagles, Falcons, and Moths
Birds of prey. Insects. All of them airborne? How does it all apply here? Time to find out! All are airborne. The first three are birds of prey. The last one is an insect. All are so completely different. The first three have also had their name, formidable qualities and fantastic reputations applied to fantastic aircraft made by Boeing. Posted on 27 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race Start - view from Hurst Castle
A video montage as the fleet went out of the Solent I went out to Hurst Castle with my camera and drone to capture the action as the boats, ranging from the mighty Ultim trimarans, through to the IMOCAs and grand prix yachts competing in the 2025 Admiral's Cup went through the narrrows out of the Solent. Posted on 26 Jul
(More than) A Day at the Races
The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor, and I don't think I've ever known a time when so many great events are happening concurrently. Posted on 22 Jul
Were the Roos Robbed in Portsmouth?
We discuss the Race 6 Penalty with SailGP's Chief Umpire Craig Mitchell The high speed, short course action of SailGP is thrilling to watch, but inevitably causes tight situations and means the Umpires have to react quickly to decide who is right and who is wrong. Posted on 22 Jul
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators. Posted on 18 Jul