Melges 24 US Nationals: Fresh water, Fresh winds

The 2015 CSR Marine Melges 24 U.S. National Championship on August 7-9 has attracted 36 entries to experience the reliable winds and scenery of Cascade Locks, Oregon. Driven by the temperature gradient between the desert to the East and the Pacific Coast to the West, the Gorge boasts premium high performance, one design racing conditions.

More than twenty-years after its introduction, the Melges 24 continues to attract some of the sport’s dominant sailing personalities and talents. Coming to the Gorge are the likes of Jeff Madrigali, Brian Hutchinson, Richard Clarke, Andy Burdick, Sam Rogers, Michael Buckley, Jeff Reynolds, George ‘Bear’ Peet, Ted Keller, Dan Kaseler, Scott Nixon and Jessica Koenig making roll call.

Class stalwarts such as back-to-back Charleston Race Week Champion Bruce Ayres on Monsoon, reigning National Champion and 2013 World Champ Brian Porter on Full Throttle, and recently crowned Canadian National Champion Richard Reid on Zingara are also ready to represent.

Of the thirty-six overall entries, twenty-six potentially will qualify for the all-amateur Corinthian division. Frank Davenport on Rippin’, George Haynie’s Firewater, Kevin Clark’s Smokin’, Paul Krak Arntson on Nikita and locally-based Glenn Klute on Trophy Wife are among those that have qualified.

Event website – Entry list – Facebook