2025 U.S. Melges 24 Nationals Competitor Announcement, No 1 - General

Dear Melges 24 teams,

This is the first of several communications you will receive over the next few days to help you and your team prepare for competition in Pensacola. While many of these items may already be familiar to you, please read over these general housekeeping points carefully.

For those of you planning to race at the North American Championship (happening January 23-25, 2026), many, if not all of these items will be required. Now is the time to get everything sorted well in advance, ensuring your boat and team are race-ready for that event and many others to follow such as the 2026 U.S. Nationals in Traverse City (August 14-16), and the World in Harbor Springs (September 19-26).

*** MELGES 24 CLASS RULES ARE IN EFFECT ***
• B.2.1 - The owner and helmsperson shall be a current member of their NCA or, where there is no NCA in their country, a member of the ICA or an NCA nominated by the ICA.
• B.2.2 - When required by the Notice of Race or when required by their NCA, any crew member competing in a Melges 24 event that is being paid to sail as a professional must be a current associate member of their home NCA or, where there is no NCA in their country, a member of ICA or an NCA nominated by ICA. Fees charged for that membership are solely at the discretion of the NCA.When required by the Notice of Race, any crew member competing in a Melges 24 event that has been categorized as a Group 3 sailor must be a current full member of their NCA or, where there is no NCA in their country, a member of ICA or an NCA nominated by ICA.

• C.2.1 (a) - your crew shall consist of a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6 persons
• C.2.1 (b) - No crew member shall be substituted during an event without written approval of the event Technical Committee or in its absence the Race Committee. If a substitution is applied for, that substitute must weigh within +/- 10% of the original crew member.
• C.2.1 (c) - The number of crew shall not be changed during an event.
• C.2.1 (d) - As part of registration for any Melges 24 event, all crew shall be registered and shall be identified in any entry list, scratch sheet, and result listing where the helmsperson, skipper or owner is identified.

Here is the link to the full Melges 24 Class Rules:
https://d7qh6ksdplczd.cloudfront.net/sailing/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/24164806/M24_CR_2025-03Mar-24-1.pdf

MELGES 24 CLASS MEMBERSHIP
Class Membership is required for National Championship competition.
To join, U.S. teams please visit this link: https://usmelges24.com/join

Check this list online at melges24.com (IM24CA) to confirm your Class Membership:
https://www.melges24.com/members?c=1168&s=

CREW LISTS
Crew Lists are required for all competing teams listed online at Yachtscoring.
Please take a moment to complete and/or update your crew lists here:
https://www.yachtscoring.com/current_event_entries/50328

MEASUREMENT CERTIFICATES
A valid Melges 24 Measurement Certificate for your boat is required for National Championship competition.
• Your measurement certificate is considered valid only if it is in the name of the current owner (not the previous), and stamped by the USM24CA.
• If you have a measurement certificate and it needs to be transferred into your name, please contact USMCA Class Admin, Joy Dunigan for guidance.
• If you do not have a measurement certificate at all, again please contact USMCA Class Admin, Joy Dunigan for guidance and further assistance.

EARLY ENTRY FEE
The early entry fee deadline is Friday, October 10.
Be sure to pay your entry fee by this date to avoid the late fee.

CORINTHIAN COMPETITION DEADLINE
To qualify for the *Corinthian division, please be sure to submit your Corinthian Declaration Form by Friday, November 7th. Apply to qualify: https://usmelges24.com/corinthiandeclaration
*Please be aware, entries accepted after November 1st, 2025, shall not be eligible for the Corinthian Trophy and will sail in the open division.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Have questions or need assistance, please contact USMCA Class Admin, Joy Dunigan on email.