Lake Geneva, WI - The Line Honors 2016 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship comes home this weekend to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, hosted by the Lake Geneva Yacht Club (LGYC) Teams have traveled to participate from all across North America and around the world to race the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association’s (USMCA) biggest event, and there’s no better place to do that, than right where it all first began.

Back in 1992, in the snow, the Melges 24 was first launched with numerous spectators bundled up in their winter-weather gear, anxious to see what Melges Performance Sailboats (MPS) had created. It was not a scow, but a keelboat with seriously fast lines. It didn’t take long for the sailing world to realize that Melges had figured it out. They delivered in one beautiful, simple, affordable, portable package how to have fun, go fast and experience the coolest, cutting-edge sailing technology. Designed by Reichel Pugh and still built in the USA by Melges, it remains the darling of the one-design sportboat world.

“We are very excited for the start of this Championship, as it also means we’re getting closer to the start of the highly anticipated Worlds in Miami coming this December,” said Steve Boho, President of the USMCA. “It’s great to be here in Lake Geneva and see this many boats with so much excitement for this kind of racing. It’s going to be great fun with teams using this event to further fine-tune for Miami. This weekend may tell us a lot about who is best prepared and will do well.”

As anticipated the Line Honors National Championship has attracted some of the fleet’s most talented teams including Olympian Bora Gulari on Air Force 1, Conor Clarke’s Embarr, Kevin Welch on Mikey, Bruce Ayres’ Monsoon, Richard Reid’s Zingara and reigning National Champion Brian Porter on Full Throttle. It should be a big showdown as in 2011, Gulari beat out Porter and Clarke in a dramatic final race to win the National title.

The Corinthian division entry list is also getting longer. Reigning Corinthian National Champs Matt MacGregor and Keith Hammer aboard Good Enough from Seattle, WA are back with every intention of defending their title. Other teams who are definitely in the hunt for some all-amatuer bling include Chicago’s Augi Hernandez on High Voltage, 2014 Corinthian Champ Kevin Nixon and his family-based team Accru+ from Australia, Canada’s Dan Berezin on Surprise, KC Shannon and his Shaka team from Atlanta, GA and Traverse City Invitational winner Fred Rozelle on Rustler.

Three days of great Melges 24 racing is scheduled in addition to some fun and beneficial shoreside activities. Registration happens all day on Thursday, while sailors take advantage of a Melges 24 Speed Camp Intro followed by practice races and video debrief in the afternoon. Dinners will be hosted by LGYC throughout the weekend, an exciting Friday night bowling tournament is planned and for almost certain, an ‘off-the-schedule party’ nightly rendezvous at the legendary Chuck’s is guaranteed.

FULLY SPONSORED
Line Honors, affectionately known as "the sailor's candy store" is a family-owned business located in the center of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It is Line Honors' goal to provide their customers with the finest performance sailing/outdoor apparel from around the globe. Please stop by the store on 726 Geneva Street to meet the owners, Erika and Bob Hillier and find the sailing gear you need to sail fast on Lake Geneva. Line Honors also has an on-site store at Lake Geneva Yacht Club for those last-minute needs.

Bluesmiths, makers of the world’s finest water wear, has expanded its line of hydrophobic gear with new sailing team colors. Win a game-changing Kanaha Water Repellent Ocean Shirt, an award-winning Kula Windpro Hoodie or the multi Gear-of-the-Year winning Spartan Board Shorts. Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plU1ipd3ySI.

Hutchinson Sports designs and builds gear considered essential to the Melges 24: Tack-Deflectors, Traveler-Jockeys, Mast Pads, Padded Lifeline Straps, Leg-Savers, Insulated lunch/drink Pouches and more.

Official Line Honors 2016 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship Website 
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