Overview of submissions and nominations for the International Melges 24 Class Annual General Meeting

Melges 24 World Championship 2025, Trieste, Italy © YCA / Giovanni Tesei

The International Melges 24 Class Association - IM24CA World Council will meet on November 22 in Milan, Italy and online to discuss class business, elections, and future championship bids.

Ahead of this important meeting, IM24CA Chair Laura Grondin highlights the significance of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the key topics that will be discussed and decided there.

Dear IM24CA World Council members,

The IM24CA World Council will be meeting for the 2025 Annual General Meeting on November 22 in Milan, Italy. For the first time since 2019, the Melges 24 class has chosen to meet in person to discuss the issues associated with the class. Of course, there will also be a Zoom option.

We will discuss the usual topics, including class reports, financial and marketing reports, voting on proposals for Executive Committee members, future events, and class rule and constitution changes. In addition, we are delighted to welcome Allan and Cate Terhune, the new owners of Melges Performance Sailboats, to share their vision for the class.

At the most recent EGM, on October 8, 2025, the World Council approved the use of an electronic or mechanical timing/positioning device. RaceSense is one such brand that aids in the starting process for races.

Please remember to read the submissions and note that the deadline to submit any amendments is October 24.

Kind regards,
Laura Grondin
IM24CA Chair

The Agenda and all submissions and nominations received for discussion and voting at the 2025 Annual General Meeting are now published on the IM24CA website. The AGM will be held as a hybrid meeting, welcoming delegates in person in Milan and online via Zoom, on Saturday, November 22, 2025. All relevant paperwork, including proposals, nominations, and future event bids, is available at www.melges24.com/agm2025.

Melges 24 World Championship 2025, Trieste, Italy - photo © YCA / Giovanni Tesei

Submissions

Among the key topics on the agenda are elections to the IM24CA Executive Committee, proposals to amend the class rules and constitution, and bids for future title championships.

Elections

Four Executive Committee positions are open for election this year. According to the IM24CA Constitution §5, term limits are set at two consecutive terms in the same officer position. The following positions are up for election: Chair, Vice Chair (US), Member (US), and Member (Europe).

For the position of Chair, the Canadian Melges 24 Class Association has nominated Duncan Stamper. A long-standing and deeply committed member of the Melges 24 fleet, Duncan sails out of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club (Goes-to-Eleven, 011) in British Columbia, Canada. He has served the international class in multiple capacities, including Member Americas (2015-2016), Vice Chairman Americas (2017-2022), and currently as the Americas Representative on the IM24CA Technical Committee. As a competitor, he has been an active presence at major championships and was co-chair of the organizing committee for the 2018 Worlds in Victoria. Most recently, he captured the Corinthian title at the 2024 Canadian National Championship. Known for his leadership, dedication to fair racing, and efforts to mentor new sailors, Duncan brings extensive experience and passion to his candidacy.

For the position of Member (Europe), the Croatian Melges 24 Class Association has nominated Luka Šangulin, the current president of the Croatian Melges 24 Class Association, now serving his second term. Under his leadership, the Croatian fleet has grown into the third-largest Melges 24 fleet in the world. Luka is both a passionate sailor and a successful businessman, actively promoting the Melges 24 class and its strong development in the Adriatic region.

In North America, Chelsea Simms (Vice Chair, US) and Scot Zimmerman (Member, US) are both nominated for re-election to a second term. Well known across the class, Chelsea has been actively racing internationally, including as part of Bruce Ayres' Monsoon team in Europe, while Scot has been serving as US Melges 24 Class President. Both have been instrumental in supporting and growing the Melges 24 fleet in the United States.

In addition to elections, several proposals have been received relating to the Class Rules and Constitution. These include an amendment clarifying the definition of an IM24CA-sanctioned event-Worlds, Continental Championships, or, in the case of an event organised by an OA, when IM24CA is listed as part of the Organising Authority in the Notice of Race-and a proposal correcting references to the World Sailing Regulations.

The Executive Committee has also submitted a proposal to update the composition of the Executive Committee, noting that the Asia-Pacific Vice Chair and Member positions have been vacant for several years. The suggested amendment would replace those positions with a single open seat, broadening the Committee's flexibility while maintaining global representation.

The AGM agenda also includes the annual approval of the appointment of the Technical Committee Chair. The Executive Committee proposes that Mike Gozzard (CAN) continue in his role as Chair of the IM24CA Technical Committee. Mike was first appointed to this position at the AGM in November 2019 and has been reappointed each year since then. His technical knowledge, practical approach, and commitment to class integrity have been instrumental in guiding the class through complex technical discussions and rule development.

Future Championships

Regarding future championships, the Croatian Melges 24 Class Association has submitted a bid for the 2027 Melges 24 World Championship, proposing to host the event in Pula, the sailing capital of the Istria region, in cooperation with Marina 21 - Marina Polesana. The proposed dates are May 29 - June 5, 2027. The Italian Melges 24 Class Association has also submitted letters of intention to host the 2028 European Championship or the 2029 World Championship.

All submissions, supporting documents, and the complete AGM 2025 agenda are available on the IM24CA website at www.melges24.com/agm2025.

Important Dates

The deadline for submitting amendments is October 24, and the final deadline for membership dues payments is November 15.

If individual sailors and teams are interested in submitting motions or amendments to the published proposals, please contact your National Class Association as soon as possible to ensure your submissions are reviewed and forwarded in time.

Observers are warmly welcome to attend the meeting. Zoom connection details will be published on the AGM 2025 webpage soon.