Coast-to-Coast Melges 24 Racing: ECC and Tahoe ChampionshipS CONCLUDE

July 10–12 marked one of the biggest summer weekends on the Melges 24 calendar in the United States, with two outstanding regattas taking place on opposite sides of the country. While the Northeast ushered in the East Coast Championship (ECC), held in conjunction with the Sail Newport Regatta, the West Coast fleet gathered once again for the always-popular Tahoe Championship hosted by the Tahoe Yacht Club. Together, the two events showcased the depth, enthusiasm, and momentum of the Melges 24 class at the height of the championship season.

EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP / SAIL NEWPORT
The East Coast Championship returned to Newport, Rhode Island and followed two Melges 24 summer training camps and clinics, making the championship the perfect culmination of an exciting week of learning, tuning, and racing on Narragansett Bay.

Ten Melges 24 teams assembled for the revived ECC, including six brand-new programs joining the fleet. The entry list featured an impressive blend of experienced veterans and emerging competitors, with several teams already preparing for next month's U.S. National Championship in Traverse City, Michigan, followed one month later by the Melges 24 World Championship.

Anthony Kotoun’s Wahgwan ultimately captured the ECC title after a commanding weekend of racing. Supported by an outstanding crew that included former M24 World Champion Stu McNay, Brian Porter, Frannie Schulte, and Aidan Naughton, Wahgwan has officially established itself as a team to beat.

Peter McClennen’s Gamecock finished second overall. Beyond his performance on the racecourse, McClennen has been instrumental in rebuilding momentum for the Melges 24 class in the Northeast. As one of the driving forces behind this year's Newport training camps, his leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment have helped create an environment that welcomes both seasoned veterans and newcomers while strengthening the regional fleet.

Fleet newcomer Margaret McKillen rounded out the podium aboard Magatron, sailing with an accomplished crew that included Olin Star, Davy Gilmore, Ian Liberty, and Ed Hackney. Like many teams competing in Newport, the roster reflected the remarkable depth of talent that continues to define the Melges 24 class.

Reigning Corinthian Melges 24 North American Champion Eddie Gary aboard Troublemaker got the big all-amateur win. His close battle with Matt Hamilton’s Chop Chop was one of the highlights of the ECC, simultaneously reinforcing the value of the Newport training camps, which have become an important resource for both new and experienced teams preparing for championship competition.

This weekend's greatest success story extends well beyond the leaderboard. The Newport training camps were designed to introduce new owners and sailors to the Melges 24, and the results were evident. With ten boats competing and six new programs joining the fleet, the Northeast continues to build meaningful momentum. One final Newport Training Camp (July 27-30) remains before the fleet shifts its attention to the U.S. National Championship in Traverse City.
Full Results (Final, After 6 Races)
Photo Gallery - Scott Trauth Photography

TAHOE CHAMPIONSHIP / TAHOE YACHT CLUB
Nearly 3,000 miles away, the Tahoe Championship delivered another unique combination of competitive racing and relaxed West Coast hospitality that has made it one of the favorite summer events on the Melges 24 calendar.

Also a three-day regatta, the event attracted eight boats to one of North America's most scenic sailing venues. Nine races were completed over the course of the weekend, producing close competition from start to finish.

Dan Hauserman’s Personal Puff emerged as the overall champion after nine races, including 1 throw out after six races completed. Gus Duncan’s Haka and Blake Hoffman’s Tasha remained in contention throughout the weekend finishing second and third respectively, while the battle just off the podium featured Ed Hancock’s Hunting Song and Nick Pullen’s Powdered Toast Man rounding out the top five. Kathrin Wagner’s Tinka and her all-women crew, traveled from Santa Barbara to attend and reflects the enthusiasm and diversity that continue to strengthen the Melges 24 fleet.
Full Results (Final, After 9 Races)

FLEET GROWTH ACROSS BOTH COASTS
While championship trophies were awarded on both coasts, perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from the weekend was the continued growth of the Melges 24 class throughout the U.S.

Between the ECC and Tahoe, approximately eleven relatively new programs joined the starting lines. Whether first-time owners, developing teams, or sailors returning to the class, every new entry represented another step toward building stronger regional fleets and deeper competition nationwide.

The Newport initiative clearly demonstrated how organized training camps can translate directly into increased regatta participation. Likewise, the Tahoe regatta once again showcased the strength, camaraderie, and competitive spirit on the West Coast, proving why the Melges 24 remains one of the premier one-design keelboat classes in North America.

LOOKING AHEAD
With these two outstanding regattas now complete, the anticipation for two of the year’s biggest events are not far away. The North American Sailing Series now heads to Santa Barbara, California, where the Santa Barbara Yacht Club will host the Fiesta Cup on July 18-19. Meanwhile, the Northeast fleet has one final opportunity to sharpen its skills during the last Newport Training Camp (July 27-30) before traveling to Traverse City for the 2026 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship, then of course Worlds.

From Newport to Lake Tahoe, the weekend celebrated everything that makes the Melges 24 class special—elite competition, passionate Corinthian sailors, dedicated owners, exceptional volunteers, and an encouraging wave of new programs entering the fleet. More than simply crowning two champions, the ECC and Tahoe Champs demonstrated that the Melges 24 class continues to thrive from coast to coast.