Melges 24 North American Championship 2025 set for January showdown at Bacardi Winter Series
by International Melges 24 Class Association 19 Jan 09:03 PST
January 23-25, 2026
Melges 24 fleet at the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta 2025 - Miami, FL, USA © Marina Semenova
The Melges 24 fleet will open the 2026 racing calendar in championship fashion as nearly 30 teams converge for the 2025 Melges 24 North American Championship, hosted in conjunction with Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 1, the first in a trilogy of spectacular Bacardi-sponsored events.
Classified as an International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) Intercontinental Championship, the Melges 24 North American Championship will feature teams representing five different countries: Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Monaco, and the United States.
Racing will span three days, from Friday, January 23, to Sunday, January 25.
Originally slated for this past December, the event now takes place in January 2026 and officially serves as the final regatta of the 2025 North American Sailing Series, adding further significance to the championship outcome. The Melges 24 Class extends its sincere appreciation to the Bacardi event organisers for their flexibility and cooperation in accommodating the change. The result is a seamless integration into one of the most respected winter sailing venues in the world, ensuring a championship-caliber experience both on and off the water.
"The level of participation at this North American Championship is a great way to kick off the 2026 racing year," said Geoff Fargo, U.S. Melges 24 Class President and owner/helm of Sentinel. "We've got outstanding racing ahead this week in Miami, and it really sets the tone for an exciting season—from our National Championship, which just opened for registration, all the way through to the World Championship next September, and beyond"
The overall entry list reflects the depth and quality expected of a North American Championship, with a strong mix of past champions, professional sailors, and proven owner-driver programs. Success will hinge on speed, tactical precision, consistency, and execution across a competitive three-day event.
Among the standout teams is Laura Grondin's Dark Energy, featuring tactician Taylor Canfield, alongside Ian Liberty, Ted Hackney, and George Peet. Grondin and Canfield were recently shortlisted as finalists for the 2025 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards, following a remarkable season that included Grondin becoming the first woman to win a J70 World Championship and winning Silver at the Melges 24 Worlds, while Canfield continued to build on an already formidable international résumé.
Challenging them will be a deep and accomplished field that includes Bora Gulari's Mavi with Kyle Navin calling tactics, Peter McClennen's Gamecock returning with a strong professional lineup, and Harry Melges IV aboard Zenda Express. Former Melges 24 World Champion Drew Freides, with tactician Manu Weiller, joins the fray aboard a chartered Pacific Yankee, while proven contenders such as Sandy Askew's Flying Jenny, Steve Boho's The 300, and Michael Goldfarb's Warcanoe further underscore the exceptional depth of this championship fleet.
"Teams don't come to a regatta like this by accident. They're here because they want to measure themselves early, figure out where they need to improve, and get ahead of the competition," Fargo added. "The Melges 24 offers one of the best experiences in sailing today—exceptional racing, a strong class culture, and an organization that supports the fleet at every level. If you're looking to improve your game while having fun in a challenging, high-caliber fleet, it doesn't get better than this!"
The Corinthian (all-amateur) division is equally compelling, with no shortage of proven talent. Former Corinthian North American Champion Dan Berezin returns aboard Surprise, while Matt Hamilton's Chop Chop and Jaime Torres' Smile and Wave enter as leading contenders. John Poulson's Long Shot, backed by a seasoned and steady crew, adds further intrigue to what promises to be a tightly contested Corinthian title race.
With the championship just days away, teams are wrapping up final preparations, including confirming class requirements, fine-tuning equipment, and ticking off the final items on their pre-regatta checklists. Following a recent blast of arctic air across much of North America, competitors are eager to trade winter layers for warm temperatures, sunshine, palm trees, and a little Bacardi rum.
With world-class racing expected on the water and Bacardi's legendary hospitality awaiting ashore, all signs point to a memorable North American Championship.
Stay close to all Melges 24 Class channels as updates on the racing will be featured on the web and across social media.