Melges 24: Still A Thrill

The 2017 Melges 24 World Championship brings together 59 teams from 15 nations for the 20th edition on July 31 to August 4 in Helsinki, Finland. Since the inaugural event in 1998, fifteen skippers have joined the hard-fought fraternity of World Champions. Vince Brun, who won the first two world titles, reflects on the class.

Vince Brun

“I was aware of a new, fast boat being developed by Melges and the Reichel/Pugh office in San Diego, and remember when I first saw the Melges 24 sailing in our backyard,” recalled Brun. “I loved the simplicity of the layout and how easy it was to sail.

“My experience up to then was other one-design boats with a regular spinnaker pole, which awkwardly had to be moved from side to side for gybes. The Melges had a super light carbon mast that could be easily stepped, retractable keel for trailering and ramp launching. It came standard with everything we always dreamed of on a boat.

“There are no ‘special’ boats as you have in some one design classes. The rigging is very simple and there is not much one can do if you are to stay within the class rules. The general tuning of the rig and how you sail the Melges 24 haven’t changed much over time, but sure has gotten refined over the years. There is still no other sportboat on the market that offers the thrill and fun that one will have on the Melges 24.”

Brun, who is also a Star and 3-time Soling World Champion, recognizes how important his teammates have been to his success. “As on any other racing boat, how you pick your crew will define your position on the leaderboard. My results are a direct reflection of the people I had crewing for me. It’s not only about talent, but getting along well together and working hard at the mutual goals.”

Now away from the class for some time, Brun still closely follows the activity and results. “My highlights in the Melges 24 were the many friends made throughout the years, some racing, some tuning, some at the bar. I enjoyed every minute, and the two Worlds I won (England and USA) were just a small bonus.”

For those competing at the 2017 Worlds, Vince advises, “Do not let small details get in the way and focus on things that will have the biggest impact on your performance.”

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Source: Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design