Multiple 2025 Melges 24 ranking circuits heat up at the half way mark
by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association 23 Jun 2025 17:34 BST
With summer in full swing, the 2025 Melges 24 racing season has hit its stride across North America, and the momentum is building.
Three major ranking series—the North American Sailing Series (NASS), Quantum Great Lakes Cup (QGLC), and the Southeast Racing Series (SERS)—are now well under way, each delivering thrilling one-design action and elevating the Class and competition to new heights.
Collectively, across all three major Melges 24 series, more than 100 team entries have hit the starting line in pursuit of glory. Some familiar names have risen to the top, though not without serious challenges from a deeply competitive fleet.
At the heart of this year's story so far is Peter McClennen's Gamecock, a standout team that currently leads all three ranking series. With multiple wins under their belt, including dominant showings at Sailing World Regatta Series events in St. Pete's and Detroit, as well as the Southeast Inland Championship on Lake Lanier, they have proven fast and consistent across a wide range of venues. The path to the top has been anything but easy.
"In 2025, Gamecock decided to go "all in" on the Melges 24 and sail as much as we possibly can, go to as many events as possible and really try to improve our performance," reveals McClennen. "Since the Fall, we have sailed more in the Melges 24 than we had in the past four years combined—and it's been fantastic!"
"We are doing all the one-design events and PHRF racing back home in Newport, as well as two boat training in multiple locations. No other boat combines the physicality, speed and performance quite like the Melges 24. It's the only boat I know that goes equally well upwind and downwind with such a rewarding outcome based on strong teamwork and refined skill—it truly is one of a kind."
"Combine that with the depth of talent in the fleet and the level of competition and you have an unrivaled platform for one design racing," continued McClennen. "We are looking forward, and have turned our focus to the World Championship in Italy this year. Then it's right back to the US to finish out the North American calendar with Nationals and North Americans."
Pushing McClennen's team every step of the way is a stacked field of elite teams. Steve Boho's The 300 opened the Great Lakes season with a win and claimed top honors in Muskegon. Peter-David Karrie's Nefeli Sailing answered with a pair of substantial wins in Miami (Bacardi Winter Series No. 2 and the Invitational Regatta). Jaime Torres' Smile and Wave kicked off the SERS with an early win at Davis Island Yacht Club, while longtime class powerhouse Brian Porter and his 'boys' aboard Full Throttle made a statement with victory in Charleston—proving yet again they're always in it, to win it.
But, what truly sets the Melges 24 Class apart and what continues to drive its success year after year, is the incredible talent and commitment of the Corinthian fleet. This all-amateur group of sailors, made up of best friends, families, weekend warriors, small business owners, and professionals with full-time day jobs, brings the same energy, determination, passion and grit to the racecourse as their pro counterparts. They are the lifeblood of the fleet, fueling its spirit, expanding its reach, and proving that you don't have to sail for a living to sail at the highest level.
North American-based teams such as Canada's Dan Berezin racing Surprise, Scot Zimmerman's Bad Idea, John Shockey's Wombmates Racing, Eric Vigrass' Tomfoolery, and Jan Frederik Dyvi's Team RRH from Norway are top performers in this division, pushing themselves and their teams in every race, at every venue. Their performances are not just impressive, they are inspiring. The Corinthian fleet isn't just keeping up, in fact, in many races, they're setting the tone.
"We have done the Bacardi Series this winter for the second time. Racing against some of the strongest pro teams is challenging and makes us a better team," said Berezin. "I think we've become more consistent and confident over the last few years. The biggest events of the 2025 season are now approaching, and we look forward to them. We are especially excited about racing the Trieste Worlds, which will be our first time racing the Melges 24 in Europe."
Berezin also went on to say that he believes that some of the toughest Corinthian competition is in Europe, and singles out Ivo Matic and Ante Botica racing the Croatian based Mataran24 as definitely THE team to beat.
As each series moves into the second half of the year, the stage is set for an unforgettable run-up to the finish.
The next events include the Columbia Gorge One Design Regatta (July 25-27), and the revamped Guardian of the Great Lakes Regatta (originally the Grand Traverse Invitational) in Traverse City (August 16-17).
The Canadian National Championship takes place in Ontario on September 5-7, marking a pivotal moment for two circuits simultaneously. It serves as the finale of the Quantum Great Lakes Cup, while also offering critical points toward the North American Sailing Series.
Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, Florida welcomes the fleet back to the second annual Melges 24s of Summer Regatta in mid-October.
From there, attention shifts to the U.S. National Championship in Pensacola (Nov. 14-16), one of the biggest tests of the season and a key event in both the North American and Southeast Series.
Finally, it all culminates in Miami at the 2025 North American Championship, held in conjunction with Bacardi Winter Series No. 1 on Dec. 12-14. This is an International Melges 24 Class regatta where the best of the best will go head-to-head for the prestigious NA Championship title and trophy. Registration is slated to open on July 1st, 2025.
With six months of sailing still to go and the most prestigious events on the horizon, every point matters and every race counts. McClennen and Berezin may be out front for now in their respective sailing divisions, but the pressure is on—and the race to the top is far from over.
Stay close to all Melges 24 Class channels as updates on the racing will be featured on the web and across social media.