2015 Melges 24 Fall Championship, Oct 2-4 - Lake Geneva, WI

Melges 24 sailors from at least six states and from as far away as Florida and Utah made the pilgrimage to the boat’s birthplace for the Melges 24 Fall Championship. Lake Geneva delivered lots of the breeze and good times that make the Midwest the place to be in the Fall.

Practice day started with Melges 24 Speed Camp in one of the classrooms of the Buddy Melges Sailing Centers where World Champion trimming and steering concepts were shared.

Lake Geneva’s Future Champions - Wicked Feet Crew- Carson Hillier 16 (hlyd, kite), Bo Freytag 15 (pit), Hans Joseph Melges 13 (kite), Finn Rowe 14 (jib), Kyle Navin 13 (bow) and Harry Melges IV 14 (helm).

Fred Roselle’s Rustler raging past (named after Alta’s Iconic ski run Alf’s High-Rustler) 

Once on the water the fleet was introduced to the latest hot Melges 24 team aboard Wicked Feet, on loan from longtime Melges 24 and Scow sailor Tom Freytag. With the average age of less than 14 years, six young Lake Geneva sailors blew out of the blocks wowing the fleet with exceptional sailing technique and smarts. The big breeze was no challenge to this well-polished group who at times had at least two trimmers tugging on the spinnaker sheets. Watching them tack was a treat as we could see them hit the rail 1-2-3-4-5-6 and continue to keep the fleet honest as they blazed up the beats.

2nd place Wicked Feet - Average age: 14 years

Steve Boho’s adults on The 300 had a series of top finishes on Sunday to pull away from the band of smiling kids onWicked Feet. Class stalwart, Mike Dow, from Traverse City, sailed Flying Toaster to third place. All teams had a ball testing their skills on the storied Lake Geneva waters and repaired to a very comfortable setting in the elegant Buddy Melges Sailing Center, home of next year’s Melges 24 U.S. National Championship September 23-25, 2016.

FULL RESULTS (FINAL After Seven Races)
1.) The 300; 1-5-2-1-1-2-4 = 16
2.) Wicked Feet; 4-1-1-3-6-3-5 = 23
3.) Flying Toaster; 3-2-3-9-5-1-1 = 24
4.) High Voltage; 2-4-4-7-8-4-2 = 31
5.) Firewater; 9-3-9-6-2-8-3 = 40
6.) Rustler; 5-6-5-4-7-7-6 = 40
7.) Surprise; 6-8-7-5-4-9-9 = 48
8.) Gnarly Ruca; 8-7-6-8-12-6-10 = 57
9.) The Djinn; 7-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-2-3-5-12 = 61
10.) Chaos 24/7; 16(DNF)-9-8-11-13-10-17 = 74
11.) Shockwave; 10-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-10-10-12-8 = 82
12.) Bad Idea; 16(DNF)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-12-9-11-13 = 93
13.) Rippin'; 16(DNF)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-13-11-13-11 = 96
14.) Social Member; 16(DNF)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS) = 112
15.) Tramp Stamp; 16(DNF)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS)-16(DNS) = 112