Reichel/Pugh Founder John Reichel and Naval Architect and Structural Engineer David Oliver were all smiles at the inaugural Melges 14 Nationals held held June 15-17. The event helped to continue to solidify the class as the premier high-performance one-design racing boat just three years after its introduction. Already honored as Sailing World’s 2016 Boat of the Year – Best Dinghy the class attracted over 30 entrants from around the country including Olympians and Olympic hopefuls.
Geneva Lake, Wisconsin (June 17, 2018) – Reichel/Pugh Founder John Reichel and Naval Architect and Structural Engineer David Oliver were all smiles at the inaugural Melges 14 Nationals held held June 15-17. The event helped to continue to solidify the class as the premier high-performance one-design racing boat just three years after its introduction. Already honored as Sailing World’s 2016 Boat of the Year – Best Dinghy the class attracted over 30 entrants from around the country including Olympians and Olympic hopefuls.
The title was decided in the last race, as Harry Melges IV “H4” topped the 36-boat fleet to win the 2018 Melges 14 US National Championship, held June 15 to 17 on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. After scoring a 13th in the second race, Melges was near perfect in the 9-race, no discard series to edge out Eddie Cox by 2 points for the victory.
Results
View the Regatta Highlight Reel
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ABOUT THE MELGES 14
Designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges in Zenda, Wisconsin, USA, the Melges 14 is a modern one-design racing boat that also has the ability to sail with two people. The boat is 14 feet and features a large, open cockpit so no bailing is required. A carbon mast and boom complements its modern, flexible sail plan with three rigs: Gold (98 sq. ft.), Blue (85 sq. ft.), and Red (58 sq. ft.). Sailors can order a custom Melges 14 dolly, car top it or tow it behind any vehicle. It’s a perfect beach boat, family sailboat or a one-design racing platform. It’s speed, quality, durability, comfort and fun wrapped into one dynamic sailing package. The Melges 14 was honored as Sailing World’s 2016 Boat of the Year – Best Dinghy and with fleets in North America, Europe, and Asia, the Melges 14 is emerging as a true high-performance one-design racing boat, just three years after its introduction.
ABOUT MELGES PERFORMANCE SAILBOATS
For more than 70 years, Melges has proudly delivered superior-built scows and sportboats around the world and now offers the Melges 14 and Melges 40. Melges Performance Sailboats provides continuous customer service and product support unlike anyone else. Every Melges boat is signed, sealed, endorsed and delivered race ready by the best, for the best. For more information about Melges Performance Sailboats, visit melges.com.
photo courtesy of Liz Smith - thank you!