2023 Melges 24 World Championship open for entries
by International Melges 24 Class Association 4 Feb 2023 00:29 AEDT
24 June 1 July 2023
GoSail Middelfart and the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) announce the publication of the Notice of Race for the 2023 Melges 24 World Championship powered by the bunkering company Bunker One to be hosted in Middelfart from 24 June to 1 July 2023. Online Registration for the regatta is now open at the event website where full logistical and supporting information can also be found.
Looking forward to the Melges 24 Worlds, Event Chairman and CEO of the GoSail Søren Laugesen - "Melges 24 Worlds 2023 will be hosted in Middelfart Denmark, just like we did in 2015 when we raced here with 96 participating boats. We are happy to welcome Melges 24 teams back into our waters, and we will do our very best to host a great Championship. What a great way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of racing this beautiful boat!"
In 2023 the Melges 24 World Championship will be sailed for the 24th time and to prove the longevity of the boat and the loyalty of the sailors, the Class is hopeful to see some of the class stalwarts racing in Middelfart. Having said that among the very first entries, we'll find the Estonian Lenny team of Tõnu and Toomas Tõniste along with crew member Tammo Otsasoo, who were racing at the very first Melges 24 Worlds in Torquay, UK in 1998 and also, were winning their second Melges 24 Corinthian World Championship title in Middelfart back in 2015. Another Class stalwart has made his entry already¬-Italian Andrea Racchelli with his Altea team is no stranger to the first Worlds nor to the Middelfart waters, where he sailed to the second stage on the overall podium at the Worlds in 2015.
International Melges 24 Class Association is thrilled to be celebrating 30 years of racing the Melges 24. We are excited to see our class stalwarts in Middlefart, but also looking forward to having many newcomers and excited sailors on beloved Melges 24s on the starting line.
Laura Grondin, IM24CA Chair and owner of Dark Energy USA-864, is expecting to welcome as many as possible Melges 24 owners and sailors¬ in Middelfart - from Europe and overseas. "Join us for a celebration of this outstanding one-of-a-kind one-design boat by attending and racing at the Worlds in Denmark! We are expecting top teams from across Europe, North America, and beyond to compete for these coveted titles, overall and corinthian.
"Having hosted a previous Worlds and boasting upgraded facilities and excellent wind conditions, we can all take pride and confidence that this will be a great event for our class - worthy of the 30th year of the boat.
"Whatever your goals may be, this is an excellent opportunity to experience the fun and intensity of a World Championship!"
The event will be hosted by GoSail in collaboration with Fredericia Sailing Club in Middelfart and sailed out of Middelfart Marina, like in 2015. The maritime market town Middelfart at the Little Belt is a mecca for water sports. With beautiful marinas, beaches, and unique angling and scuba diving opportunities, Middelfart offers first-class maritime experiences.
Denmark is a nation where sailing is a sport worshipped by tens of thousands and a hugely important part of Danish outdoor life. Sailing is as much a way of life in Denmark as a sport, and Denmark has a long tradition of sailing and competing. The sport combines two great Danish loves - one is the actual sailing and the other is the social life ashore - both being equally important.
The sailors, their families, all officials, and not least visitors and vacationing families can enjoy the view from the cafés at the beautiful waterfront, shop on the pedestrian street with the many different shops or go exploring the galleries, workshops, and museums in town. Surrounded by water and unique countryside, Middelfart is the perfect base for a holiday - and a Melges 24 event.
Middelfart offers several accommodation options-whether you choose a castle, hotel, campsite, holiday apartment, holiday cottage, or B&B, you are so close to the Little Belt that you are almost rocked to sleep by the waves. Special offers for the Melges 24 Worlds participants are available for booking through the event website.
Event dates:
- Saturday 24 to Monday 26 June: Registration and Measurement
- Monday 26 June: Practice Race and the Opening Ceremony
- Tuesday 27 June to Saturday 1 July: 2023 Melges 24 World Championship
Important dates:
- April 1 - Early Bird Entry Fee deadline
- June 17 - The closing date for the registration of Corinthian entries
The 2023 Melges 24 World Championship is sponsored and supported by: