2025 US Melges 24 Nationals destined to hit the big shifts in Pensacola
by U.S. Melges 24 Class Association 10 Nov 2025 08:48 PST
November 14-16, 2025
Forty teams are currently registered to compete at the 2025 U.S. National Championship happening this weekend, November 14-16 hosted by the Pensacola Yacht Club © Joy Dunigan / US Melges 24 Class Association
With the start of the 2025 U.S. Melges 24 National Championship just days away, 40 teams from all across the North American continent and beyond are on the move. Over the last couple of weeks, competitors have been finalizing every detail.
From crew compliance and organization to sails, logistics, and measurement, they are gearing up for what promises to be one of the most competitive national championships held in recent years.
"Everyone is over the top about getting on the water later this week," said Joy Dunigan, U.S. Melges 24 Class Administrator and Media Coordinator. "For many of these teams, this Nationals has been a year in the making, and it's the start of a powerful run that will carry the fleet through the North Americans in January, Midwinters in February, the Bacardi Cup, Charleston, and the Quantum Great Lakes Cup, culiminating in the next National Championship at Traverse City (August 14-16) and then, of course on to Worlds in Harbor Springs next September 19-26."
The Melges 24 Class is committed to fairness, professionalism, and racing integrity, and that will be on full display as teams make their final checks ahead of competition taking place on November 14-16. Membership renewals and World Sailing categorizations have been verified (with some still being updated), ensuring every entry is fully compliant and ready to race. Behind the scenes, both the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) and Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) have been hard at work drafting and refining sailing instructions, reviewing race documents, confirming launching procedures, and coordinating logistics to deliver a seamless championship experience for all.
The open division, as always, is brimming with talent — a veritable "who's who" of the sport, featuring multiple world champions, veteran class sailors, and athletes coming straight from major international campaigns such as the America's Cup. It's a lineup that reflects the Class's longstanding reputation as one of the world's premier one-design fleets. On the other hand, the hotly contested Corinthian division is shaping up to be equally impressive this year, with nearly half the fleet expected to race under all-amateur status. Alongside returning competitors are new faces and developing teams, including youth sailors and collegiate athletes, some not yet eighteen years old. Their participation underscores the USM24CA's ongoing efforts to engage and embrace the younger demographic, ensuring a sustainable, relevant, and vibrant Melges 24 Class future.
This is why the Melges 24 remains one of the most attainable and enjoyable high-performance boats in the sport of sailing. It's fast, technical, and rewards sailors at every level of the game. Through strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and regional growth initiatives, particularly in the Southeast, the Melges 24 Class continues to attract both top-tier professionals and passionate amateurs who value its unique blend of speed, teamwork, and cream-of-the-crop Class culture.
As the countdown winds down to the start, anticipation is reaching a peak. Boats are on the move, new sails are being shipped, soon to be unrolled, boxes are piling up at PYC's sailing center awaiting their rightful owners — teams can't wait for the official practice day on Thursday ahead of the three-day Championship. With the forecast expected to deliver gorgeous Pensacola conditions, competitors are ready to experience the best of what Melges 24 racing has to offer, from tight competition on the water to Bushwhackers on the dock at day's end.
"The energy and enthusiasm are remarkable. The Melges 24 has been around for decades, and yet still feels as fresh as the day it was designed. It simply stands apart, and above all the rest. It's fast, it's fun, and it continues to bring together an extraordinary league of sailors and friends that are more like family, who love to compete and connect," continued Dunigan. "Melges Performance Sailboats and Reichel Pugh absolutely hit a grand slam when they designed and built this boat. That's why we're all still here, still racing it, and still loving every minute of it."
In advance of the event, Melges 24 fans and followers are asked to go ahead and connect with the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association's social media channels and website, where updates, race results, and daily coverage will be seen and shared.