Organizers from the Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC) in cooperation with the the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) and US Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) are pleased to announce the Notice of Race and website along with online entry portal are published for the Melges 24 World Championship 2022 held in Fort Lauderdale, FL USA over 7-15 May 2022.
The 2022 Worlds will be the first the class has held since 2019, when Maidollis of Gianluca Perego, helmed by Carlo Fracassoli was crowned as Melges 24 World Champion in Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy.
Melges 24 Worlds 2019 – Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy © Pierrick Contin
IM24CA Chair Laura Grondin, after being forced twice to cancel the Worlds thanks to Covid-19, like everybody else, is happy to announce: “The 2022 World Championship for the Melges 24 class is ready to go – the early entry deadline of February 7th is coming quickly. Visit the website 2022worlds.melges24.com to see the details and register now! SailTi is our digital platform which will offer us world class communications and tracking of our event. With Carol Ewing representing the class as our Championship Coordinator and Tom Lihan from the Lauderdale Yacht Club leading the organization team in the US, we have the leadership and regatta experience to deliver a fantastic event. After a three-year hiatus, sailors from around the world will come to compete for our class’ highest honors. I am thrilled that we can bring you world class ocean racing with great shoreside facilities and parties! I look forward to seeing you there!”
Stephanie Toothaker, the Commodore of the Lauderdale Yacht Club said that they are thrilled to host this exciting class – one of the most competitive, tactical racing sailboats in the world – and these great athletes. “Warm water, consistent wind, and ocean swells make Fort Lauderdale the perfect racing venue, and the partnership between LYC and Pier 66 guarantees a fantastic shoreside experience for the competitors and their families.”
The first boat to sign up for the 2022 Melges 24 Worlds was Monsoon USA851 of Bruce Ayres – The Southernmost Regatta 2022, Key West, FL, USA – photo © Sharon Green
An estimated sixty boats based at LYC and The Sails Marina (Pier 66) will go head-to-head in the beautiful waters off the famed Fort Lauderdale Beach under the supervision of Event Chair and PRO Tom Lihan, who echoed the Commodore’s enthusiasm. “We’ll deliver the competitor-friendly racing LYC has become known for on the water, and plan to impress the teams and their families on shore as well.”
Melges 24 class stalwart Bruce Ayres, whose team of Monsoon was the first boat to sign up for the Worlds, is very enthusiastic to return to race in the waters of Fort Lauderdale: “The last time I raced in Fort Lauderdale were the Nationals about 20 years ago. All I remember were puffy clouds, blue water, great breeze out of the SE, beautiful waves, and warmth. I am sure Lauderdale Yacht Club will do a fine job like they did for the Nationals back then!”
16 teams from US, Canada, Germany, and Italy have signed up already and to take advantage of the first Early Bird Entry Fee deadline on February 7 teams are encouraged to enter now!
Maidollis ITA854 of Gian Luca Perego, helmed by Carlo Fracassoli is the reigning Melges 24 World Champion, crowned at the Melges 24 Worlds in Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy in October 2019 – photo © Pierrick Contin
“We are thankful to our hosts at LYC, who have shown extraordinary cooperation and hospitality for everyone affiliated with this race. And we wish all the entries Good Luck in their preparations for this important Melges 24 event,” said IM24CA Chair Laura Grondin.
A new clubhouse of the Lauderdale Yacht Club, completed last year, will serve as the social focal point of the event. – photo © IM24CA
Event schedule
After three days of Registration, Inspection, Measurement on May 7-9, the Practice Race will be held on May 10 followed by Opening Ceremonies. Racing will commence on Wednesday, May 11 until Sunday, May 15 with two races scheduled per day and ten races for the Championship. After racing the event will conclude with an Awards Ceremony held in Lauderdale Yacht Club on Sunday, May 15.
Important dates:
February 7 – Entry Fee increase
April 1 – Entry Fee increase
April 3 – Sailing Instructions posted
April 26 – Corinthian competitors registered with World Sailing
May 4 – Close of Registration, Berth Assignment Complete
Lauderdale Yacht Club and Marina – photo © IM24CA
