Melges 24 Midwinter Madness in St. Pete's, Feb 16-18
The U.S. Melges 24 Class is ready to race into the 2024 North American Sailing Series in St. Petersburg at the Helly Hansen Sailing World 2024 Regatta Series this weekend. The event has been designated as not only the circuit’s kick-off event, but also the Midwinter Championship. Thirteen teams have registered and it presents a fleet of diverse runners and riders.
Nothing is better in a breeze than a Melges 24. The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in St. Petersburg will be the class’s Midwinter Championship. Photo by Walter Cooper.
Past Class President and defending Midwinter Champion Steve Boho on The 300 is back for more in 2024 with stiff competition coming from local racer Gary Schwarting at the helm of Obsession, Jamie Torres’ Smile and Wave, and Tony Stanley at the helm of Hermes.
The U.S. Class is thrilled to welcome several new teams to the Melges 24 racing stage — Nadia Daggett and Alex Korakis from Davis Island Yacht Club; Meg Phillips, David Mierzwa and Tom Scheuermann with his son Harbor at the helm are all the latest additions to the Class.
“The Melges 24 Class is thrilled to be racing in St. Pete’s for the Midwinter Championship,” says USM24CA Technical Chairman Gary Schwarting, owner of Obsession. “It’s great to see many new faces racing this year. We are ready to have a great time on- and off-the-water as St. Pete’s does not disappoint when it comes to racing the Melges 24!”