2025 US Melges 24 National Championship in Pensacola - Overall
by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association 17 Nov 05:58 GMT
November 14-16, 2025
The 2025 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship concluded on Sunday in Pensacola with the best breeze of the entire week—an exhilarating, long-awaited gift for the 40-boat fleet.
After two days of light and variable conditions, Sunday delivered a refreshing northwesterly that pulsed between 8 and 13 knots, allowing the race committee to complete three final, decisive races. The moderate-to-breezy conditions energized the fleet and set the stage for a dramatic showdown among the top contenders.
A full round of congratulations is in order for Cuyler Morris' Dark Horse, as he and tactician Manu Weiller, Charlie Smythe, Dean Curtis, and Mark Ivey—are the new U.S. Melges 24 National Champions.
John Shockey's Wombmates Racing clinched the Corinthian U.S. National Championship title. Finishing 16th overall, he and crew members Timothy Zacher, Ian Moran, Michael Komar, and Eliot Caple captured their very first major Melges 24 trophy. They edged out John Poulsen's LongShot, while Dan Berezin's Surprise, the regatta's sole Canadian entry, sailed a well-fought event, adding an international spark to the Corinthian fleet.
For both Morris and Shockey, their victories are especially sweet.
Morris and his team have spent the past two to three years working tirelessly to master the Melges 24—traveling internationally, refining their crew and boat handling, sharpening their efficiency, and learning how to make the boat truly fast. "We spent time in Europe over the summer and, of course, we did the Worlds in Trieste," said Morris. "There are some really great sailors here in Pensacola, and the competition totally rivals what we experienced in Trieste."
The racing was impressively tight, and according to Dark Horse bowman Mark Ivey, "the Seabreeze was the call of the day." This key decision enabled Morris to advance ahead of his next biggest rivals: Bora Gulari on Mavi, Anthony Kotoun on Wahgwan, Joel Ronning on Catapult, and Sandy Askew's Flying Jenny.
Shockey has been actively campaigning his Melges 24 over the last few years. "We were pretty tight on funds, but we knew we had to get down here and give it everything we had—and I'm really glad we did. I'm incredibly proud of our team's performance and the result overall. The Bushwacker Cup was amazing, and honestly, ending the season like this feels a little bit like a dream come true," said Shockey post-racing.
"I sail with friends, and now that the weight limit is gone, it makes the boat even more fun. We can all show up without crash-dieting and just enjoy the racing. Our crew this week was fantastic. I really hope more Corinthians come out for next year's Worlds in Harbor Springs. There are a ton of boats in the Midwest, lots of good lead-up events, and it's a great chance to practice and bring your best. And, if anyone has an open spot for a Corinthian crew at the Bacardi Cup, my DMs are open."
Post-racing, awards were presented at Pensacola Yacht Club, celebrating both professionalism and sportsmanship across the fleet. Thanks to the generous support of Zhik, each of the top five Corinthian and top five overall teams received high-performance PFDs. A brand-new GoPro accessory system from Cerberus Marine, awarded by Anthony Kotoun, went to the sole collegiate team competing at Nationals—AKA, owned by Patrick Nathan but raced by Parker Thran, Oliver Soberling, Natalia Aksamit, Sophia Marais Ostervold, and John Reddaway. The prize comes with one condition—the team must share the tool with fellow collegiate crews at Lake Lanier, continuing the cycle of learning and development for the next generation of Melges 24 sailors.
The U.S. Melges 24 Class extends its deepest thanks to the Pensacola Yacht Club, one of the most welcoming and beautifully situated venues on the circuit. Special appreciation goes to Tom Pace, César Travado, PRO Hal Smith, and the entire race committee and support team, who ensured a smooth and memorable championship. Additional thanks go to Charlie Harrett and Vakaros for delivering flawless RaceSense support throughout the week.
Overall Results: (top five, 9 races, 1 discard)
1. (USA) Cuyler Morris, Dark Horse: 6-5-3-5-4-1-[11]-6-2 = 32pts
2. (USA) Bora Gulari, Mavi; 5-9-[10]-1-1-5-1-1-10 = 33pts
3. (USA) Joel Ronning, Catapult: 1-1-2-[11]-6-4-7-10-4 = 35pts
4. (USA) Anthony Kotoun, Wahgwan: [12]-2-1-2-8-2-6-2-18 = 35pts
5. (USA)Sandy Askew, Flying Jenny: 2-7-8-3-2-10-4-4-[11] = 40pts
Corinthian Results: (top five, 9 races, 1 discard)
1. (USA) John Shockey, Wombates Racing: 7-13-12-14-[31]-20-13-18-22 = 119pts
2. (USA) John Poulson, Longshot: [29]-10-14-20-15-14-[36]-16-21 = 139pts
3. (CAN) Dan Berezin, Surprise; [28]-25-17-10-21-26-21-15-8 = 143pts
4. (USA) Brent McKenzie, Ex-Kahn; 30-[35]-18-13-27-22-16-20-13 = 159pts
4. (USA) Michael Lenkeit, Rapscallion; 23-[34]-31-17-17-11-26-12-25 = 162pts
Full results can be found here.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Melges 24 Class is already focused on an exciting 2026 season. The next U.S. National Championship will take place August 14-16, 2026, at the Grand Traverse Yacht Club in Traverse City, Michigan, a venue known for its excellent freshwater sailing and summer conditions. One month later, the international spotlight shifts to Harbor Springs, where the Little Traverse Yacht Club will host the 2026 Melges 24 World Championship on September 19-26. With two premier Midwest venues, strong regional fleets, and a full calendar of lead-up events, the Class is excited about another upcoming year of exceptional Melges 24 racing.
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