'25-'26 Melges 15 Winter Series - By: Doug Wake

Park City Sailing's newest fleet, the Melges 15 is seeing growth across the country in a revitalization of double-handed, one-design racing. This past weekend in Merritt Island, FL, 133 Melges 15 teams took to the water to fight it out just miles from the Kennedy Space Center. 

Park City was well represented - Karl and Kirk Paulsen competed in this event, along with Sophia Herrada. Annabel Jamail and Marjory Bravard competed in the Series’ first event in November. I raced with my girlfriend Kerstin Hyer - we won race four and placed seventh overall! We hope to be back to run another M15 clinic for SailPC in 2026!

Racing in a fleet this big is a totally new phenomenon - every move matters. A bad start is a race ender, and staying clean into the first mark makes a huge difference as well. More important than the racing, though, is the vibe and character of sailors the 15 class is attracting. A full range of teams competed, from three-up squads of dad with two daughters, to married couples over 70. 

This class is affordable, fun, and the future of dinghy racing in the U.S.. Racing at the Melges Watersports Center is a dream: simple, low key, but with great support. If you like sailing, step into a Melges 15 in 2026 and see what all the buzz is about!

Results from this event: https://melgeswatersportscenter.theclubspot.com/regatta/emBXIhBPYB/results

Photos from the event: https://melges.smugmug.com/Melges-15/2025-26-Winter-Series-Event-2