Melges 24s return to Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point for high-stakes racing
by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association 9 Apr 05:17 AEST
April 10-13, 2025
Matthew Hamilton's Chop Chop is one of fourteen Melges 24 teams that has qualified for Corinthian competition at Charleston Race Week 2025 at Patriots Point © Sharon Green / ultimatesailing.com
The Melges 24 Class is fired up and ready to race as it heads to the Charleston Race Week 2025 at Patriots Point, April 10-13.
This year's event is not only the third regatta on the prestigious Melges 24 North American Sailing Series (NASS), but also marks the sixth event on the Southeast Racing Series (SERS), tipping the scales into the second half of the schedule for the now popular regional tour.
With 22 teams registered, the competition is stacked across both Open and Corinthian divisions. Notably, 13 teams are qualified and confirmed for the Corinthian division, showcasing the incredible depth of amateur talent in the fleet.
In the Open Division, expect fireworks. Legendary skipper, 2013 Melges 24 World Champion and 10-time U.S. National Champion Brian Porter returns aboard Full Throttle. He'll be lining up against reigning U.S. National Champion Geoff Fargo on Sentinel, Midwinter + Southeast Inland Champion Peter McClennen on Gamecock, veteran champion Steve Boho on The 300, and the ever-competitive Marty Kullman on New Wave. The predictions are rolling in and Charleston Race Week promises to deliver.
"Expectations are always tough to define, so we try to keep it simple—go fast and work as a team. That's what drives the Sentinel team's performance and, hopefully, delivers the results we're aiming for. We're excited to be racing the Melges 24 in Charleston for the first time, especially against such a strong fleet," says Fargo.
"Looking ahead, our goal is to keep building on the momentum we had in 2024, and continue progressing throughout the 2025 season."
The Corinthian Division will be equally thrilling as 2023 North American Corinthian Champion Dan Berezin brings Surprise from Canada, while defending Corinthian Champ William Morang's Rapscallion and twin-powered team Wombmates Racing, helmed by John Shockey with his brother Kevin as crew, return for another go on Charleston's famously unpredictable harbor.
"Having sailed Charleston Raceweek for many years, we look forward to it more each time. It's the most competitive and fine event that we do as lake sailors with limited travel time," says Morang. "Everyone is so nice, the hospitality is great, and Charleston is the most challenging and interesting place that we sail."
"We have won the Corinthian division at Raceweek on the Melges 24 a couple of times, and it's never easy. Our goal for this year is to be more consistent, to work better as a team, and to try to learn more about the current. We have a local Jeff Irvine on the boat that is really smart, and without him I'd be doomed."
"I think it's incredible that the Corinthian Melges 24 group is so big this year, and that our class continues to be one of the best after 30 years. It is an incredible design. Very simple, fast, easy to set up and sail. As new boats and classes come out and get popular, I still think the Melges 24 is the best out there."
New to the fray, a handful of fresh faces and programs are ready to experience their first Race Week. Matt Hamilton has traveled cross-country from California with Chop Chop, joined by Philip Haynie's Sierra, Doug Weatherby's Snafu, and Connor Baker's Outlier—all eager to test their mettle in Charleston's rapidly shifting conditions, where local knowledge and lightning-fast tactical reactions are often the difference between podium and back of the pack.
At this early point in the season, McClennen leads both the North American Sailing Series (with 31 teams having competed to date) and the Southeast Racing Series (43 teams participating). Jaime Torres' Smile and Wave, Fargo and Boho are amongst those in the chase.
"Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point is always a highlight event—a key, next step for us on our journey," says McClennen, owner and helm of Gamecock USA-871, the newest Melges 24 hull delivered just this past February.
"Our goal is simple — get better and improve with every race and every event in the Melges 24. Historically, we have been a part-time participant in the fleet competing in 2-4 events per year, but now the it has become our top priority with the goal of competing for the podium in this fun, competitive class."
"We will be participating in the next two Worlds Championships in Italy and Michigan. We fully appreciate the elite level of this Class and its a high bar, but this is what is motivating us and driving us to put in the time at as many events as possible."
Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point officially begins with registration on Thursday, April 10, followed by three days of intense racing. With breeze, tide, and top-tier competition in the mix, this stop on the Melges 24 circuit promises high-octane action and the kind of camaraderie and excitement the fleet is known for.