Melges 24 Austrian and Norwegian National Championships 2026 - Preview
by International Melges 24 Class Association 4 Jun 23:31 BST
5-7 & 6-8 June 2026
Melges 24 Austrian Open 2024 - Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2024 © Francesca Rossetto
The 2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series continues this weekend with two key regattas on the calendar, as the Austrian and Norwegian National Championships take centre stage in Lake Attersee and Trondheim.
Following a successful season opener in Opatija, Croatia, and a highly competitive second event in Trieste, Italy, the series now moves north and west, where two established Melges 24 strongholds will welcome sailors for another important chapter in the 2026 series.
Austrian Championship returns to Lake Attersee
Nestled among the picturesque Austrian Alps, Segelclub Kammersee (SCK) on Lake Attersee has long been a favourite venue for Melges 24 sailors. Known for its challenging lake conditions, shifting breezes and tactical racing, the venue regularly attracts teams from Austria, Germany and neighbouring countries.
From June 5-7, competitors will race over three days with up to eight races scheduled. Beyond the competition under the supervision of the PRO Bernhard Strauch, the event will once again embrace the Melges 24 spirit of camaraderie, featuring traditional after-sail gatherings, Friday evening pasta and a Sailors Dinner on Saturday.
Stephan Beurle and the team at Segelclub Kammersee are ready to continue the event's longstanding tradition of excellent racing and warm hospitality.
"The SCK is delighted to welcome the Melges 24 class to the Austrian Championships this coming weekend, as in previous years," said Beurle. "We are especially pleased that this championship also counts towards the European Sailing Series. Perhaps this will encourage any teams who decide at the last minute to come to Lake Attersee. The weather and wind forecasts are good, and our new host will ensure everyone is well catered for. I wish all participants fair winds!"
The championship titles and medals will be awarded to the top Austrian crews, while international teams will compete for overall regatta honours and the title of International Champion of Austria. Additional prizes will be awarded to the leading Corinthian and overall teams.
Among the favourites will be Michael Tarabochia's White Room (GER 677), helmed by Luis Tarabochia, who returns as the defending champion after claiming victory on Lake Attersee in 2025. A regular visitor to the venue, Tarabochia knows the lake's unique conditions well and will once again be among the teams to watch.
"Lake Attersee plays an important role for the Melges 24 class in the German-speaking region," says Michael Tarabochia, the President of the German Melges 24 Class Association. "Every year, it provides an opportunity to host a European Sailing Series event close to home for sailors from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, helping to keep the fleet active and connected.
"While membership numbers have faced challenges in recent years, the class associations continue to work closely together to support owners and attract new teams. Looking at the size of our fleet, it is encouraging to see more than half of the region's Melges 24 members taking part this weekend. That level of participation shows that enthusiasm for the class remains strong, and we are looking forward to another great championship on Lake Attersee."
With teams expected from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the fleet promises close competition both for the national honours and the overall regatta victory.
Norwegian championship builds momentum ahead of Europeans
Further north, Trondheim will host one of the largest Melges 24 gatherings Norway has seen in recent years. The 2026 Norwegian Open Championship, to be held from June 6 to 8, has attracted an impressive fleet of 26 Norwegian teams, reflecting the strong revival of the class and growing anticipation ahead of the 2026 Melges 24 European Championship, which will be held in Tønsberg from August 29 to September 4.
Hosted by Trondhjem Seilforening in cooperation with the Norwegian Melges 24 Class, the championship marks an important milestone in the fleet's recent growth.
Vemund Gransæther, President of the Norwegian Melges 24 Class, is delighted to see the renewed momentum within the Norwegian fleet.
"The Norwegian fleet has been coming back to life lately. We have seen several internal sales over the last couple of years that have strengthened the class by introducing many new teams. In two years, the fleet in Trondheim has grown from seven to twelve boats, bringing the total in the region to fourteen. The immense interest will not go unnoticed, and this year we go to Trondheim for the national championship this upcoming weekend to celebrate the achievement."
Special consideration was given to the schedule to maximise participation.
"To accommodate students who are graduating the same weekend, we have decided to race from Saturday through Monday. This will be the biggest Norwegian Championship since Askøy in 2019, when there were also 26 Norwegian teams. I think the European Championship in Tønsberg is driving some of the growth, and we will do our best to keep the sailors at the edge of their seats for the years to come."
The Norwegian Championship also serves as an important stepping stone towards the European Championship later this summer.
"This all-Norwegian event is the first tune-up for the Europeans. Next, we go to Hankø for the Melges 24 Nordic Championship from June 25-28, where we meet Danes and Swedes for a final battle before Tønsberg. We see a positive trend in Norwegian and Nordic Melges 24 racing and look forward to the coming years with anticipation," Gransæther added.
Racing begins on Saturday, June 6, at 13:00, with ten races scheduled over three days. The entry list combines experienced class veterans with an emerging generation of sailors, including three teams representing NTNUI Sailing, the Trondheim-based student initiative that has become an important pathway for developing young Melges 24 sailors.
Series ranking set for a shake-up
The Austrian and Norwegian championships will mark the first time this season that the European Sailing Series expands beyond the Adriatic, bringing new venues, different conditions, and a fresh mix of competitors into the equation.
After two events, Hungary's CHINOOK, helmed by Ákos Csoltó, sits atop the overall standings with 29 points. Germany's WHITE ROOM, helmed by Luis Tarabochia, follows in second on 23 points, while Great Britain's ZHIK RACE TEAM by Miles Quinton, helmed by Geoff Carveth, holds third with 22 points. This means all-Corinthian Top three as Italy's DAITO NANO by Dino Orioli is the first non-Corinthian in fourth place with 19 points.
2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series ranking after 2 events
The arrival of the strong Norwegian fleet in the rankings for the first time this season promises to shake up the leaderboard and introduce a new group of contenders into the race for the 2026 European Sailing Series title.
Two championships, two very different venues and two highly motivated fleets ensure that another exciting Melges 24 weekend lies ahead.
How to follow the events:
Melges 24 Austrian Nationals
Melges 24 Norwegian Nationals