Please select your home edition
Edition
Ovington 2021 - ILCA 1 - LEADERBOARD

2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series launches with Midwinters

by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association 12 Feb 18:12 GMT February 14-16, 2025
2024 Melges 24 Midwinter Champion Jaime Torres at the helm of Smile and Wave will be racing to defend his Corinthian title © Joy Dunigan / US Melges 24 Class Association

The 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series (NASS) kicks off in spectacular style at the Midwinter Championship, February 14-16, held in conjunction with the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - St. Petersburg.

Also designated as Event No. 3 on the new Southeast Racing Series, the stage is set for three fun days of racing on Tampa Bay.

Midwinters marks the first of ten top-tier regattas spanning the continent, bringing together a growing and thriving Corinthian fleet, and elite competition. Fourteen teams are signed up and the racing action promises to be intense, fueled by the fleet's signature high-performance attitude and challenging conditions in one of the best venues in North America.

2024 Midwinter Champion Steve Boho and The 300 return to St. Pete with one goal—defending their position, going for a third consecutive title. Standing in their way is fierce competition, led by Peter McClennen's Gamecock, featuring a star-studded crew which includes Wilson Stout, Key Becker, Brian Kamilar, and American Magic's Severin Gramm. Also in the hunt is Alex Shaffer's Sweaty Betty, with 2005 Melges 24 Corinthian World Champion Marty Kullman onboard, along with Sam Nadeau's formidable Green team.

In the hotly-contested Corinthian sub-Class, Jaime Torres' Smile and Wave also looks to defend its 2024 title. Among those in the chase are Tony Stanley's Hermes, Gary Schwarting's Obsession, John Poulson's Long Shot, Don Holst's Guten Tag, Beth Owen's Rogue and Amanda Plewes' Firewater.

Beyond the racing, Melges 24 sailors are looking forward to plenty of post-race camaraderie, legendary parties, and Mount Gay Rum flowing freely throughout the weekend. The series' kickoff sets the stage for a landmark season, building toward an exciting return to Florida next November and December, when the U.S. Nationals takes place in Pensacola and the North American Championship in Miami—held alongside Bacardi Winter Series No. 1—will decide the ultimate champions.

Over 90 teams competed on the NASS in 2024, and more teams are expected to battle for the podium this season. Whether in hot pursuit of a major championship trophy or simply reveling in the thrill of high-level sportboat racing, the 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series promises to be bigger, better, and faster than ever.

Southeast racing series underway with two events completed
As the 2025 Melges 24 Southeast Racing Series (SERS) churns and burns, two events have been successfully completed: the Commodore's Cup in Tampa and Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 2 in Miami. Currently, Germany's Peter-David Karrie racing Nefeli leads the standings, followed closely by Harry Melges IV's Zenda Express in second place, and Jaime Torres' Smile and Wave also with 18 points, holds third in the tie-breaker. Full Results (Preliminary, After 2 Events).

Amendment no. 1 issued for North American Sailing Series
Amendment No. 1 to the 2025 North American Sailing Series (NASS) Notice of Series has been issued, outlining key updates for competitors.

Related Articles

Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point overall
Darby Smith thought his chances of winning the J/22 class were derailed on Friday Darby Smith thought his chances of winning the J/22 class at Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point were derailed during the third race held Friday. That's because the main halyard aboard Tasmanian Devil snapped and the boat was unable to finish. Posted on 14 Apr
45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta highlights
This annual Caribbean celebration has brought together locals, visitors, and world-class sailors The official film of the 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has just dropped, and it's a vibrant tribute to four and a half decades of sailing, island spirit, and unforgettable "Serious Fun!" Posted on 13 Apr
Trieste to host 2025 Melges 24 Worlds
The first time the event will be held on the Adriatic Sea Trieste, renowned in the sailing world as Italy's City of Sails, is preparing to spend a week as the Capital of the Melges 24 as it gets ready to host the Melges 24 World Championship 2025. Posted on 13 Apr
Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point Day 2
Standings tighten on 'Moving Day' It was moving day at Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point and that's exactly what several skippers and teams did. Posted on 13 Apr
Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point Day 1
Spectacular start with sunny skies, warm temperatures and solid wind Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point got off to a spectacular start on Friday with sunny skies, warm temperatures and solid wind. Competitors on Circle 1 completed four races, while those on Circle 2 got in three. Posted on 12 Apr
158 entries set for Charleston Race Week
18 classes racing at Patriots Point Robin Team has skippered an entry at Charleston Race Week at least 15 times and done so quite successfully. The Lexington, North Carolina resident presented with the Palmetto Cup, awarded to winner of the most competitive handicap class, five times. Posted on 11 Apr
Melges 24s return to Charleston Race Week
Fired up and ready to race at Patriots Point This year's event is not only the third regatta on the prestigious Melges 24 North American Sailing Series, but also marks the 6th event on the Southeast Racing Series, tipping the scales into the 2nd half of the schedule for the popular regional tour. Posted on 8 Apr
2025 Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup concludes
Michele Paoletti's Strambapapa wins season opener The 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series officially set sail this weekend with its season-opening event - Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup 2025 Opatija - in the scenic town of Opatija, Croatia. Posted on 6 Apr
Melges 24 European Sailing Series preview
Between now and the Worlds, the road is packed with regattas In just over a week, the Melges 24 European Sailing Series will spring back to life — bringing together teams who've been sharpening their skills on the iconic "winter regatta" courses in Croatia and those who've been soaking up the sun in Florida. Posted on 26 Mar
Zadar welcomes top sailors for CRO Melges 24 Cup
Zadar is set to host the second regatta of Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup Zadar is set to host the second regatta of the prestigious Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup, organized by the Uskok Sailing Club. Sixteen crews, including Croatia's elite sailors and international teams from Italy and Poland, are registered to compete. Posted on 15 Mar