Trieste Hosts Largest Melges 24 World Championship Fleet in Recent Years
23 September 2025 – Trieste, Italy – The 2025 Melges 24 World Championship officially begins today in Trieste, hosted by Yacht Club Adriaco, with racing scheduled to start at 12:30 pm Trieste local time. A fleet of 71 boats representing 16 nations has gathered on the Gulf of Trieste, marking the largest Worlds lineup in the past decade.
The championship opened Sunday evening at the historic Castello di San Giusto, where YCA President Nicolò de Manzini and IM24CA Chair Laura Grondin declared the regatta underway alongside city officials.
“The 2025 Melges 24 World Championship is taking place in Trieste, the Italian capital of the Melges 24: what more could we ask? I can’t wait to see this fleet hitting the starting line on the Gulf of Trieste,” said Marcello Caldonazzo Arvedi, President of the Italian Melges 24 Class.
Grondin added her gratitude to sailors and organizers: “We thank all the sailors for joining the Worlds and Yacht Club Adriaco and the City of Trieste for hosting the Melges 24 international fleet, which includes hulls #139 to the newest one, #872, christened here in Trieste just a few days ago.”
The American fleet, which has dominated the last three editions of the Worlds for this iconic one-design designed by Reichel/Pugh more than thirty years ago, is determined to continue its run of success. Teams to watch include Dark Energy, owned by Laura Grondin with Taylor Canfield (current US SailGP helmsman) as tactician; Dark Horse of Cuyler Morris, racing a new boat and supported by Manu Weiller and Charlie Smythe; Gamecock of Peter McClennen, guided by 2024 Melges 24 World Champion tactician Jeremy Wilmot (current US SailGP Wing Trimmer); and Sentinel of Geoff Fargo, the reigning US National Champion, aiming to improve on their third place at last year’s Worlds in San Francisco.
Strong challenges are also expected from Italy, Croatia, Germany, and others, with both professional and Corinthian divisions stacked with past champions, rising stars, and four Under-25 teams competing for the new Zerogradinord Perpetual Trophy.
With world-class talent and the largest turnout in years, Trieste is set for a thrilling week of racing.
Racing will be followed live: streaming coverage is planned on the social media channels of Yacht Club Adriaco and the International Melges 24 Class Association, with commentary by journalist Andrea Falcon and technical input from Mauro Melandri. Meta Sail live tracking will also be available.
We are using the Official App to make communication smooth and fast for everyone–sailors, teams, and fans. Sailors can access the Notice Board, receive instant RC & OA notifications, and submit protests or requests, while fans and followers can follow live results, news, and updates to stay close to the action wherever they are. Download the app.
The 2025 Melges 24 World Championship, organized by Yacht Club Adriaco in collaboration with the International Melges 24 Class Association and the Italian Melges 24 Class, is made possible thanks to the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Municipality of Trieste, Zaccanti, Richardson, Urban Hotel Design, Sirio Outfitting, Ocean Marine, Eataly, Gill, Cantina Produttori Cormons, Saiph, Impact Sportbusiness, and RAI.
#melges24 #melges24worlds
How to follow the Melges 24 Worlds 2025 in Trieste:
Event website: https://2025worlds.melges24.com/en/default/races/race
Official Notice Board
Yacht Club Adriaco website: https://ycadriaco.it/
IM24CA website: https://www.melges24.com/
ITA M24CA website: https://melges24.it/
Photo galleries: https://www.flickr.com/photos/melges24/albums/
Videos and interviews https://www.youtube.com/@IM24CA
Social Media
Instagram accounts - IM24CA | ITA M24CA | Yacht Club Adriaco
Facebook accounts - IM24CA | Yacht Club Adriaco
Event Press Officer: Mauro Melandri, Zerogradinord