2025 Melges 24 Midwinter Championship 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 at Midwinters in St. Petersburg. While many of these items may already be familiar to you, please read over these general housekeeping points very carefully.
*** 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/2023/04/10104541/M24_CR_2025-11Nov-10-v2.pdf
MELGES 24 CLASS MEMBERSHIP
Class Membership is required in order to race at the Midwinter Championship.
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=
Canadian and other International teams, must confirm that their memberships are properly displayed per your NCA online at melges24.com.
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/crew_list_report/50497
VAKAROS RACESENSE
The Melges 24 Midwinters is a Vakaros RaceSense event, and we are excited to welcome them as the Official Technology Partner of the US Melges 24 Class Association.
Attention All Teams:
• Each team must check in with Vakaros either with their Atlas 2 or Atlas Edge in hand or to receive their rental unit.
• Vakaros Check-in should take five to ten minutes and will be open during all scheduled registration times.
• Atlas instruments MUST be mounted on the mast facing aft.
If you already own an Atlas 2:
• Update your unit to the latest firmware version via the Vakaros Connect App. For a video on how to update your firmware, see here: Atlas Firmware Update Tutorial.
• Calibrate your compass by following these steps: Atlas Compass Calibration
If you do not own an Atlas 2:
• You can reserve and pay for a rental device here: Atlas 2 Event Rental
In the meantime, check out the RaceSense Sailor Manual, and tips for your First RaceSense Event.
CORINTHIAN COMPETITION DEADLINE
To qualify for the *Corinthian division, please be sure to submit your Corinthian Declaration Form by Friday, February 6th.
Apply to qualify: https://usmelges24.com/corinthian-declaration-form
The USM24CA will provide a list of teams that are cleared to race as Corinthians for the Midwinter Championship to the Midwinter OA, so it is important to follow this step and do it ASAP.
*Protests regarding World Sailing classification may be submitted starting February 9, 2026, and must be submitted by the close of check-in February 12, 2026. Such protests will be handled by the USM24CA office, whose decision is final.
GAMECOCK MELGES 24 CLINIC AHEAD OF MIDWINTERS — YOU’RE INVITED!!!
Start Midwinter's strong! North American Sailing Series Champion Peter McClennen and Team Gamecock invite all Melges 24 teams to join a hands-on racing clinic in St. Petersburg ahead of Midwinters. With dockside discussions, on-the-water coaching, and focused debriefs—plus support from the Quantum Sails One Design team—this clinic is the perfect way to sharpen setup, speed, and teamwork before the first gun.
Join the WhatsApp Group here
Get the full scoop here
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Have questions or need assistance, please contact USMCA Class Admin, Joy Dunigan on email.