Melges 24 U.S. Championship is enjoying early success

by Joy Dunigan on 22 Feb 2015 With the 2015 CSR Marine Melges 24 U.S. National Championship expected to easily attract as many as 50 teams, a host of industry partners and performance racing companies pledge sponsorship support.

With less than six months to go, the championship hosted by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association (CGRA) is enjoying early success.

Currently, thirty-eight Melges 24 teams from all over the North American continent are registered with more entries expected. With title sponsor CSR Marine firmly in place, the list of supporting sponsors is growing fast and now includes Melges USA, Velocitek, Bluesmiths, North Sails, Raptor Deck, Jan's Marine Photography, Anacortes Rigging and Yacht Service and Kaenon.

'Kaenon Polarized was founded by sailors who required better eye protection and breeze reading lens technology, essentially filling a void in the marketplace for superior performance frames paired with advanced polarized lens technology. While our proprietary SR-91 polarized lens technology has set the bar high across a diverse platform of sports and active lifestyles, our roots are set firmly in sailing along with our true passion as sportsmen and women. We're proud to be supporting our longtime friends at Melges Performance Sailboats and the U.S. Melges 24 Class,' said co-founder and CEO, Steve Rosenberg.

In true Melges 24 form, the event will feature a Daily Speed Challenge presented by Melges 24 fans at Velocitek. Each day, photos will be taken of teams with their Velocitek Prostarts along with their top speeds. Each Daily Speed Challenge winner will walk away with some very cool Velocitek products - Velocitek Shifts with low profile brackets.

'Velocitek is excited to be a part of the Nationals at the Gorge. We're especially looking forward to the Daily Speed Challenges,' said Charles Swanson, sales and support manager for Velocitek. 'The combination of big breeze and the original high-performance sportboat will bring big grins to sailors and impressive top speeds courtesy of their Velocitek ProStarts!'

The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) is also happy to have Raptor Deck supporting the event in a huge way. To commemorate their support, registered and paid Melges 24 teams are eligible to receive a very special factory-direct discount starting now and leading up to the event. During the regatta, Raptor Deck will award the best wipeout on video with a full premium deck package!

All Melges 24 teams that have not yet registered are encouraged to Submit Their Entry Online as soon as possible. With the early entry fee in effect until June 1, there is still time to get in on what is going to be one of the most exciting National Championships ever. The very low and reasonable entry fee includes berthing, regatta souvenir, post-racing refreshments and banquet tickets for each registered Melges 24 skipper and crew members.