Melges 24 World Championship 2024: San Francisco Yacht Club Event Details
Diversified Melges 24 World Championship 2024 at San Francisco Yacht Club – Overall
17-24 August 2024
Congratulations to Don Wilson and his Convexity team for claiming the 2024 Diversified Melges 24 World Championship title! Wilston’s team, featuring tactician Jeremy Wilmot and crew Ian Liberty, Edward Hackney, and Tomas Dietrich, executed a remarkable campaign on San Francisco Bay, demonstrating their exceptional skills and determination throughout the competition.
In the highly competitive Corinthian Division, Ante Botica and his Mataran 24 team from Croatia achieved their second consecutive Melges 24 Corinthian World Champion title. The winning crew included Ivo Matic, Mario Skrlj, Samir Civadelic, and Boris Bakotic.
The World Championship podium was rounded out by Bora Gulari in second place with Kingspoke, while newly crowned U.S. National Champion Geoff Fargo helmed Sentinel to a strong third-place finish, capping off an exhilarating week of racing.
High-Stakes Showdown on the Final Day
After four intense days of racing on Berkeley Circle in San Francisco Bay, the fifth and final day delivered a dramatic showdown between Convexity and Kingspoke. With only one point separating the two teams, the excitement was palpable as they headed into the final race.
Bora Gulari, known for thriving under pressure, launched into Race 11 with vigor, taking an early lead and clinching the win. This victory put him a mere point behind Wilson, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. In the final race, while Gulari and Wilson engaged in a fierce match race, Geoff Fargo seized the moment, powering ahead to earn his second victory in the championship. Fargo’s exuberant Sentinel team crossed the finish line first in Race 12, followed closely by Andrew Picel’s Takeoff in second and Sandra Askew’s Flying Jenny in third.
Gulari’s Kingspoke team made a valiant effort to overtake Wilson on the last downwind leg. While Gulari edged ahead, it wasn’t sufficient to close the crucial one-point gap, allowing Wilson’s Convexity to secure the championship by the narrowest of margins, earning a historic engraving on the prestigious Melges Performance Sailboats Trophy.
Peter Karrie’s Nefeli finished in 4th place overall, showing impressive consistency throughout the regatta. Just behind in 5th place was Brian Porter’s Full Throttle, a veteran team known for its rich history in the class, adding yet another commendable finish to their legacy. Anthony Kotoun’s Stepping Razor ranked 6th overall, earning the Zarko Draganic Perpetual Trophy as the top-performing rookie owner.
Corinthian Division Standouts
In the Corinthian Division, Ante Botica’s Mataran 24 claimed the title and the Challenge Henri Samuel Corinthian World Trophy with their consistently strong performances throughout the event. Duane Yoslov’s Looper and Kent Pierce’s Average completed the Corinthian podium, finishing 15th and 16th overall, respectively.
Praise for the Organizers
“Hats off to The San Francisco Yacht Club, its Race Committee, and all the volunteers,” said PRO Mark Foster. “We enjoyed excellent conditions for all 12 scheduled races, with only one U flag and a brief 10-minute postponement due to light winds. Everything ran like clockwork, and I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team!”
The International Melges 24 Class, in collaboration with the U.S. Melges 24 Class, extends heartfelt gratitude to The San Francisco Yacht Club, its dedicated staff, hospitable members, Regatta Chair Matthew Sessions, and Forrest Gay, who ensured that every detail was meticulously planned for all competing teams.
A Festive Finish
The 2024 Diversified Melges 24 World Championship culminated with a joyful sailors’ dinner at SFYC, showcasing the strong camaraderie of the Melges 24 class. Veteran Brian Porter captured the event’s spirit, stating, “Thank you all for being here. It has been a great event, a super challenge—twelve competitive races on SF Bay… you did it, and you were great, just like SFYC. Racing here has been fantastic—I’m even considering moving to Tiburon!”
Looking Ahead
The International Melges 24 Class will next head to the 2024 European Championship in Split, Croatia, from September 27 to October 5. The next opportunity to compete for World Championship titles will be in Trieste, Italy, in late August or early September 2025, with dates to be confirmed soon.
2024 Diversified Melges 24 Worlds Overall Results: (top ten, 12 races, 1 discard)
1. USA 868 – Convexity – Don Wilson – 38 points
2. USA 820 – Kingspoke – Bora Gulari – 39 points
3. USA 856 – Sentinel – Geoff Fargo – 57 points
4. GER 859 – Nefeli – Peter Karrié – 67 points
5. USA 849 – Full Throttle – Brian Porter – 68 points
6. USA 619 – Stepping Razor – Anthony Kotoun – 69 points
7. USA 829 – Raza Mixta – Peter Duncan – 73 points
8. ITA 865 – Bombarda – Andrea Pozzi – 83 points
9. USA 830 – Straightarrow – Chelsea Simms – 89 points
10. USA 863 – Dark Horse – Cuyler Morris – 95 points
Corinthian Division Overall Results: (top three, 12 races, 1 discard)
1. CRO 649 – Mataran 24 – Ante Botica – 111 points
2. USA 855 – Looper – Duane Yoslov – 154 points
3. USA 549 – Average – Kent Pierce – 174 points
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Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.