Peter McClennen and Jamie Torres led the charge at the 2026 Melges 24 Midwinter Championship in St. Petersburg. McClennen’s Gamecock went undefeated to secure back-to-back Open titles, while Torres and his Smile and Wave crew captured their first major Corinthian championship in a fleet where half the entries raced all-amateur. With the season officially underway, St. Pete once again proved why it anchors the Melges 24 calendar.
Read MoreWinter fades and the Melges 24 season comes roaring to life February 13–15, 2026, as the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series returns to St. Petersburg, hosted by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Serving as the Melges 24 Midwinter Championship, the regatta officially launches the 2026 North American Sailing Series while continuing the momentum of the Southeast Racing Series.
Read MoreQuantum Sails returns to St. Petersburg as official sailmaker of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series, delivering daily weather briefings, on-the-water coaching, practice racing, and performance support for all entrants. Melges 24 teams can also take advantage of a dedicated clinic with Team Gamecock and Quantum coaches, offering race-focused preparation ahead of the Midwinter Championship.
Read MoreWith the support of the US Melges 24 Class Association, which will provide the necessary race committee units, Vakaros RaceSense technology will be used for both the Melges 24 and J/70 fleets at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in St. Petersburg.
Read MoreThis is the first in a series of communications to help Melges 24 teams prepare for the Midwinter Championship in St. Petersburg. It outlines key class rules, membership and crew list requirements, Vakaros RaceSense procedures, Corinthian eligibility deadlines, and opportunities for on-the-water preparation ahead of racing.
Read MoreAll teams planning to race in St. Petersburg for the opening event of the 2026 Sailing World Regatta Series are invited to kick off their week with a free Melges 24 Clinic, hosted by Team Gamecock in partnership with Quantum Sails. Open to all teams, the clinic features hands-on coaching, practice racing, and rig tuning guidance from top sailors, including 2025 North American champion Peter McClennen. Join us for structured practice and dockside debriefs to sharpen your Melges 24 performance on Tampa Bay.
Read MoreThe Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series returns to St. Petersburg, Florida, February 13–15, 2026, hosted by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. This highly anticipated event serves as the Melges 24 Midwinters, launches the 2026 North American Sailing Series, and continues the momentum of the Melges 24 Southeast Racing Series.
Read MoreSteve and Catherine Boho's team on The 300 win the Midwinters and get berth to the BVI championship. They had some mild trepidations about racing on the final day of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in St. Petersburg. As they stepped out of their hotel and into the heavy rain and the brisk north wind in the morning, they knew the day was going to be fast and physical.
Read More
