Registration opens for the 2022 Melges 24 World Championship in Fort Lauderdale

Registration opens for the 2022 Melges 24 World Championship in Fort Lauderdale

by International Melges 24 Class Association February 6 14:30 UTC
May 7-15, 2022

The organizers of the Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC) in cooperation with the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) and the US Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) are pleased to announce the Notice of Race and Website as well as the online registration portal are released for the 2022 Melges 24 World Championship held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA from May 7-15, 2022.

The 2022 Worlds will be the first to be hosted by the class since 2019, when Gianluca Perego’s Maidollis, helmed by Carlo Fracassoli, was crowned Melges 24 World Champion in Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy.

The president of IM24CA, Laura Grondin, after being twice forced to cancel the Worlds because of the Covid-19, like everyone else, is happy to announce: “The 2022 World Championship of the Melges 24 class is ready – the early bird registration deadline is February 7 is coming fast. Visit the website 2022worlds.melges24.com to see details and register now! SailTi is our digital platform that will provide us with communications and tracking of class of our event. With Carol Ewing representing the class as Championship Coordinator and Tom Lihan of the Lauderdale Yacht Club leading the organizing team in the United States, we have the leadership and experience of regatta to put on a fantastic event.After a three year hiatus, sailors from all over the world will come to compete for the top honors of our class.I am delighted that we can bring you races off the coast of world class with great facilities and shore parties! I can’t wait to see you there!”

Stephanie Toothaker, Commodore of the Lauderdale Yacht Club, said they were delighted to welcome this exciting class – one of the most competitive tactical racing yachts in the world – and these great athletes. “Warm water, consistent wind and ocean swells make Fort Lauderdale the perfect racing location, and the partnership between LYC and Pier 66 ensures a fantastic onshore experience for competitors and their families.”

About 60 boats based at LYC and The Sails Marina (Pier 66) will battle it out in the stunning waters off Fort Lauderdale’s famous beach under the supervision of event chairman and PRO Tom Lihan, who echoed Commodore’s enthusiasm. “We’ll be delivering the competitor-friendly racing that LYC has become famous for on the water, and we plan to impress the teams and their families ashore too.”

Melges 24 class stalwart Bruce Ayres, whose Monsoon team was the first boat to enter the Worlds, is very excited to be back racing in Fort Lauderdale waters: “The last time I raced in Fort Lauderdale, it was the Nationals about 20 years ago, all I remember is puffy clouds, blue water, a big breeze from the SE, great waves and warmth. I’m sure the Lauderdale Yacht Club will do a great job like they did for the Nationals back in the day!”

16 teams from the USA, Canada, Germany and Italy have already registered and to take advantage of the first early bird registration fee deadline on February 7, teams are encouraged to register now!

“We are grateful to our LYC hosts, who have shown tremendous cooperation and hospitality to everyone affiliated with this race. And we wish all participants well in their preparations for this important Melges event. 24,” said Laura Grondin, president of IM24CA.

Scheduled event

After three days of registration, inspection and measurement from May 7 to 9, the practice run will take place on May 10, followed by the opening ceremonies. Racing will start from Wednesday May 11 to Sunday May 15 with two races scheduled per day and ten races for the championship. After the race, the event will conclude with an awards ceremony to be held at the Lauderdale Yacht Club on Sunday, May 15.

Important appointments:

February 7 – Registration Fee Increase
April 1 – Registration Fee Increase
April 3 – Display of sailing instructions
April 26 – Corinthian competitors registered with World Sailing
May 4 – Registration closes, berth allocation complete