A Busy Start to Summer for Melges UK
by Isaac Marsh 30 Jul 08:00 PDT
Melges 15 European Championship at Dublin Bay © Louisa Nordstrom
With the season in full swing, Melges UK has had a busy few months across both the Melges 15 and Skeeta fleets.
From inland regattas and coastal racing to foiling demos and international events, activity is growing and momentum is building across the UK and Ireland.
Melges 15: Gaining Ground Across the UK and Ireland
The Melges 15 continues to make regular appearances at events around the country, proving popular with a wide range of sailors thanks to its forgiving design and accessible performance.
At the Haversham Solstice Regatta, the boat featured in an innovative short-course racing format, requiring helms and crews to swap each lap. The format made for fun, close racing and showed off the Melges 15's balanced handling and responsiveness.
A Melges 15 also took part in the Lord Birkett Trophy at Ullswater—one of the UK's best-known long-distance events. Racing in a large mixed-class fleet, the boat handled the varied conditions well and attracted plenty of interest from those unfamiliar with the class.
UK Teams at the Melges 15 European Championship
Earlier this summer, two UK teams travelled to Ireland to compete in the Melges 15 European Championship, joining a growing international fleet. Katie and Simon Horsfield put together an impressive series, winning Races 3 and 4 and finishing sixth overall. Chris Brown sailed consistently, achieving multiple top-10 finishes and placing sixteenth overall in a competitive field.
"Katie and I had a fantastic week racing in the Melges 15 inaugural Europeans Championships in Dublin bay. A fleet of 30 plus, boats the racing from America Spain ISV. IRL and the Netherlands, was competitive fun and friendly. Racing using the Vakaros Atlas 2 was amazing such a fantastic piece of kit which made starting fair. The Melges 15 was great to race in a large fleet fast, super stable, and simple to set up." - Simon Horsfield.
Reflecting on the event, Chris Brown said, "The fleet was a delight to sail in, and we've come away with many new friends."
The championship marked a significant milestone for the Melges 15 class in Europe, delivering tight racing and a welcoming, social fleet atmosphere. For UK sailors, it was a valuable opportunity to gain international experience and to witness first-hand the growing enthusiasm for the class across the continent.
Lymington Town Regatta
Back home, the Lymington Town Regatta saw three Melges 15s line up for two days of Solent racing. Saturday delivered moderate breeze and tight racing; Sunday brought stronger winds, with plenty of downwind action where the Melges 15's easy planing hull came into its own.
Skeeta: Accessible Foiling at Clubs and Demos
The Skeeta foiler has also been active on the UK circuit, with demo events and club open days giving sailors the chance to experience foiling in a more accessible package.
At Northampton Sailing Club's Open Day, despite challenging conditions, several sailors managed sustained flight, with one boat recording a top speed of 26 knots. The Skeeta's design—stable, responsive, and built to handle gusts and chop—makes it an ideal entry point into foiling without the intimidation factor.
The Festival of Foilers offered another opportunity to see the Skeeta in action. Held in breeze that ranged from 15-18 knots down to a drifting finish, the boat handled all conditions well and delivered first flight for a wide range of sailors.
New Stock Incoming - Special Offers Available
A fresh shipment of Endeavour-built Melges 15s is arriving in the UK in the coming weeks. These boats are built to a high spec and are ready to race out of the box. Melges UK is offering limited-time pricing on new arrivals, with demo sails and charters also available. Melges UK are offering excellent saving for anyone interested in ex-endeavour charter boats.
For pricing, bookings, or more info, contact
Team Update: Liam Pardy Joins Melges UK
Melges UK is pleased to welcome Liam Pardy as Boat Sales and Events Manager. Liam brings a strong background in the marine industry, having previously worked at Sportsboat World and Boatpoint, alongside extensive racing experience in classes including Cadets, Lasers, SB20s, and J/24s at national and international level.
"I'm excited to continue growing the Melges 15 class in the UK, building on the excellent groundwork already laid by the team. With the upcoming Endeavour Trophy in October—where the Melges 15 has been chosen as the class of choice for the next three years—we're entering an incredibly exciting period for this dynamic and thrilling boat."
"We've got experience days and charter opportunities available, complementing a packed and promising calendar across the UK and Irish waters. If you're keen to be part of one of the most exciting new classes out there, we'd love to have you on board. Get involved and join the journey—see you on the water!"
For any further information on products events or demonstration days, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team on