When Melges 24 sailors dream of the perfect regatta venue you can be sure they are visualising crystal clear waters, great surfing waves, hot sunshine, strong breezes, world class race management, a beautiful and welcoming host club and competing against the very best sailors in the world.
Roving reporter and crack Melges 24 crew Justin Chisholm, of www.offshorerules.com brings us the lowdown from last weekend's Italian National Championship in Cagliari where 62 teams went head to head in the last major regatta before the Volvo Melges 24 World Championship.
As you will have gathered from our recent news reports the Melges 24 Class is experiencing a growth spurt at the moment with a number of new classes being formed across Europe and the Asia Pacific region as well as excellent growth in the USA.
From the USMCA - The 2008 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship will take place in Charleston, South Carolina on September 18-21, hosted by the Charleston Yacht Club. For the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) this is a premiere event, where as many as 50 teams are expected to attend.
From Mrta Weres, Secretary of the Hungarian Class - It was only recently that I have announced via the IMCA Newsletter the arrival of the first Melges 24 to Hungary. In fact it was January 2008.
The first race in Switzerland in 2008 has been sailed on the weekend 12/13 April 2008 at Kreuzlingen. 10 Melges 24 participated in the UBS-Sportboat-Cup 2008 organized by "Segler-Vereinigung-Kreuzlingen". In total 36 sportboats were on the starting line and tried to compete with Melges 24.
The entry deadline for the 2008 Volvo Melges 24 Worlds is now just two weeks away on Thursday 1 May 2008. This is the absolute final deadline for all Corinthian World Championship entries.
The NOR and the ENTRY FORM for the 1st Swiss Open 2008, to be hosted by Segler Vereinigung Kreuzlingen on Lake Constance from 20-22 June are now available online and the event web site is being regularly updated with logistical and racing information.
The Norwegian Melges Class and Royal Norwegian Yacht club would like to invite all Melges 24 sailors to Norway from Thursday 26th of June until Sunday 29th of June for Nordic Championship at Hank.
