McClennen and Berezin crowned 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series Champions
by International Melges 24 Class Association 3 Feb 22:57 GMT
January 23-25, 2026
GAMECOCK USA871 by Peter McClennen - 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series' Champion - Melges 24 North American Championship 2025, Bacardi Winter Series 2026 Event No 1 - Miami, FL, USA © Hannah Lee Noll
A full season of racing defined the 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series, marked by close margins and a fleet that continued to sharpen throughout the year.
From the opening events through the final tally of earned points, 2025 delivered close competition, consistent pressure at the top of the standings, and a level of depth that defined the North American fleet from start to finish.
The Series concluded on a high note, with congratulations going to Peter McClennen at the helm of Gamecock. McClennen secured the overall series title after competing in an impressive seven of the ten Class-sanctioned events, including victories at the Sailing World Regatta Series in St. Petersburg (Midwinters) and in Detroit. His consistency, commitment, and performance across a demanding calendar defined the season and set a clear benchmark within the Class.
As the season unfolded, McClennen's campaign was defined less by volume and more by execution. His results reflected a deliberate approach rooted in preparation and adaptability across a wide range of venues and conditions. That approach ultimately proved pivotal over the course of the series and was a central factor in his overall success.
Finishing second overall was Geoff Fargo aboard Sentinel, with Steve Boho's The 300 close behind in third. Both Fargo and Boho are widely regarded as two of the toughest competitors in the fleet, and the narrow separation among the top three finishers underscored just how competitive the 2025 season proved to be.
Congratulations also go to Dan Berezin's Surprise, the 2025 Corinthian North American Sailing Series Champion. In addition to securing the Corinthian title, Berezin finished fourth overall after competing in eight of the ten events, a season that reflected the strength and progression of the all-amateur fleet. His performance reinforced one of the Melges 24 Class's defining characteristics: true competitiveness across both open and Corinthian divisions.
Scot Zimmerman's Bad Idea finished the season as the Corinthian runner-up, posting a sixth-place finish overall, followed by 2025 Corinthian U.S. National Champion Kevin Shockey aboard Wombmates Racing, as third Corinthian. Notably, four of the top ten finishers overall were Corinthian teams-clear evidence of just how competitive and fully integrated the all-amateur division has become within the broader Melges 24 fleet.
The 2025 NA Sailing Series culminated in the North Americans, held in late January 2026. Originally scheduled for December, the event was postponed and realigned in conjunction with the first event of the 2026 Bacardi Winter Series, providing a strong and fitting finale.
Over 80 teams competed in the 2025 NA Sailing Series, with the U.S. Nationals emerging as the most heavily attended event of the year, drawing 40 competing teams. Beyond strong domestic participation, the series included teams from Canada, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and Norway-underscoring the fleet's continued appeal beyond all borders and reinforcing the truly international character of the Melges 24 Class.
The conclusion of the '25 season comes as the Class transitions seamlessly into an already-active 2026 series, where participation levels are expected to grow as teams prepare for a major championship arc. The season ahead will be anchored by the Muskegon Spring Championship (May), launching the Quantum Great Lakes Cup, and leading into the Canadian Nationals (June), the U.S. Melges 24 Nationals (August), and ultimately the World Championship in Harbor Springs this September.
With strong participation, international representation, and a championship pathway that continues to attract top-level teams, the Melges 24 North American Sailing Series stands as a clear indicator of the fleet's health and forward momentum-setting the stage for an even more competitive year ahead.
The Melges 24 North American Sailing Series is coordinated by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA), in conjunction with the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA), and the Canadian Melges 24 Class Association (CM24CA).
For more information about the 2026 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series, learn more here.