Fargo Wins Guardians of the Great Lakes Regatta
Traverse City, MI (August 18, 2025) - The 2025 Guardians of the Great Lakes Melges 24 Regatta, hosted by the Grand Traverse Yacht Club in Traverse City, Michigan, once again delivered on its reputation as one of the highlights of the Midwest racing season. This year’s edition, the third of four stages in the 2025 Quantum Sails Melges 24 Great Lakes Cup Series, brought together 22 teams for a weekend of competitive racing and classic Traverse City camaraderie.
Topping the podium was reigning U.S. National Champion Geoff Fargo of Santa Barbara Yacht Club racing Sentinel, who made the cross-country trip worth it by securing first place. Steve Boho aboard The 300 finished just behind in second, while newcomer Dick Kalow on Mustang impressed the fleet with a strong third-place result in his fleet debut. Canadian skipper Dan Berezin at the helm of Surprise came fourth as one of two Canadian entries, and Puerto Rico’s Jamie Torres rounded out the top five.
The weekend kicked off with a lively Friday evening opening party following practice racing. Saturday’s racing was cut short after just one race due to lightning in the area, but the fleet made up for it on Sunday with an early start and four additional races. The result was tight competition across the board and plenty of excitement on the water.
Formerly known as the Grand Traverse Invite, the regatta has in recent years taken on added significance with the support and presence of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Traverse City Station, whose flyovers have become a highlight of the weekend. The event continues to showcase not only the best of the national and international Melges 24 fleet, but also the strength of the Midwest sailing community, with teams representing Detroit, Muskegon, Charlevoix and beyond.
This year’s event also offered a valuable preview of what’s to come. Mark the calendar as the 2026 U.S. National Championship will be hosted in Traverse City on August 14–16, 2026, serving as the perfect lead-up to the Melges 24 World Championship, scheduled for September 19–26, 2026.