2015 Melges 24 World Championships - 18 nations to compete

by Tracey Walters on 3 Jul 2015 On the other side of the world in Denmark today the 2015 Melges 24 World Championships is starting, approximately 100 teams from 18 Nations competing for a podium place. In addition to the scratch prizes are the highly sought after Corinthian places, over fifty per cent of the fleet on the start line have entered the Championships as Corinthian teams.

A testament to the inclusive and strengthening nature of the class worldwide is the opportunity for Corinthian crews to race alongside the world’s best sailors in a single fleet. The Australian fleet is no different with a strong line-up of Corinthian crews competing at every sanctioned event on the annual Melges 24 Regatta Schedule.

The Australian Melges 24 crews will be closely watching the racing in Denmark as motivation and in preparation for the upcoming International One Design Mid-Winter Regatta at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on the 11-12 July. The fleet drawing on experiences from the last World Championships eighteen months ago in Geelong. The Mid Winters are also round three of the Melges 24 Asia Pacific ranking series.

The fleet includes SA team Adrenaline helmed by Luke Stephens and winner of the 2015 South Australia State Championships. Other travelling crews include Jonno Bannister representing Mornington YC on Penultimate Challenge who narrowly missed the top three at the 2015 Nationals and two teams from Lake Macquarie Yacht Club including Class President David Young on No Comment. The class welcomes newcomers to the fleet including Andy Wharton Accrewedinterest RANSA. Several previous Australian Champions will also line up including Warwick Rooklyn also winner of the 2012 North American Championships and the first Australian boat at the 2014 Worlds Nathan Wilmot.

RPAYC Fleet Captain for One Design Racing Jason Antill is working collaboratively with the Melges owners and Melges Asia Pacific, reinvigorating One Design racing at the club. Antill has organised the Int One Design Mid-Winter Regatta to be opened with an address by ex-Olympian Richard Coxon and canapés from 6pm Friday 10th July in the Admiral Cup room and bar.