North American Melges 32 fleet, locked and loaded

by Melges32 on 26 Mar 2015 In partnership with the Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC), the International Melges 32 Class Association (IM32CA) is excited to announce a three-part Winter Series in 2015/16. Each event will be hosted by LYC and based out of the expansive Bahia Mar Marina and Hotel. Combining warm weather, a world-class racing venue that can provide just about every condition, and first class hospitality with easy logistics, the three-event circuit will provide Melges 32 teams with rewarding racing experience on a Grand-Prix level.

Each event of the series will play host to a Championship and in conclusion, a Winter Series Champion will be crowned:

2015-16 Melges 32 Winter Series Schedule

• Event No. 1: U.S. National Championship, December 4-6, 2015
• Event No. 2: Gold Cup, February 12-14, 2016
• Event No. 3: Lauderdale Cup, April 1-3, 2016
*** All events hosted by Lauderdale Yacht Club ***

Incoming LYC Commodore Jim Lang is pleased to have the Melges 32 Class based out of LYC for the 2015-16 winter, 'We has a long history with the Class, and being a vibrant Yacht Club with a strong focus on sailboat racing, the Melges 32 and its sailors meld very well with our object and purpose to encourage the sport of sailing, boating and promote the science of seamanship.'

A Global Racing Series

With a successful 2014 World Championship in the books, the Melges 32 Class now heads to Europe for the summer to participate in the five-event 2015 Audi-tron Sailing Series that includes the World Championship at the epic venue of Trapani where over 25 teams are expected to compete. Selecting world class racing venues combined with regatta villages that rival the best onshore experiences of any event make the Audi-tron Sailing Series an unforgettable circuit, something the 2015-16 U.S. Winter Series is aiming to replicate.

In an effort to get a strong number of U.S., European, Japanese and Australian teams to return to South Florida in 2015-16, Melges 32 Class President Jason Carroll is very excited about the three-part Winter Series at LYC, 'It has been a long time since we have had a well-organized Championship series in the U.S. and we are really excited about having these events in Ft. Lauderdale, most especially the experience it can provide for our owners and sailors. A very defined schedule along with a strong used boat market will allow teams to plan early, get quality boats and sails at a low price. It will help ensure these events are a success for the owners, sailors, LYC and the Melges 32 Class.'

As is tradition with the Melges 32 Class when it sails at Ft. Lauderdale, LYC mixes its world-renowned Junior Sailing program with the successful sailors in the Melges 32 fleet. 'Since the first Gold Cup in 2007, our junior sailors have had the opportunity to race on the Melges 32s for a day, and learn about what it takes to be successful in the sport from these top sailors,' explains former World Laser Champion and longstanding LYC Member Peter Commette. 'Having the opportunity to sail with the caliber of sailor aboard a Melges 32 brings the experience of a lifetime that other classes simply cannot give. We are proud to have the Melges 32 class here.'

A Gulf Coast Primer

Prior to the start of the Winter Series, the IM32CA will participate in the West Florida Ocean Racing Conference's (W.F.O.R.C) Fall Event at Pensacola Yacht Club, October 16-18 2015. A non-sanctioned event (no weigh-in), the W.F.O.R.C Fall Regatta will allow the strong fleet of Gulf Coast Melges 32s to play host and give the fleet a taste of perfect flat water conditions, seasonal strong breeze and off-the-water entertainment that can only be found on the Gulf Coast.

Melges 32 Meeting of the Minds

To help build a better class, a Melges 32 Owners Meeting will take place on April 24, 2015 in New York City. An afternoon of meetings will cover items pertinent to the class, the upcoming schedule and other items for discussion, followed by a dinner and evening on the town sponsored by Argo. Melges 32 Owners and Owners Reps are encouraged to attend and RSVP to North American Class Manager, Sam Rogers by April 1, 2015.