The wait is over. After the winter break, the Melges 24 fleet is ready to return to racing as the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 opens this weekend in Opatija. Hosted by Yacht Club Croatia in cooperation with the Croatian Melges 24 Class, the opening regatta marks the first of ten events across five countries, once again bringing together one of the most competitive one-design fleets in Europe.

The 2026 European Sailing Series will take the fleet across some of Europe’s most established sailing venues, beginning in Opatija (April 10-12) and continuing with events in Trieste, Italy (May 22-25), Attersee, Austria (June 5-7), Trondheim, Norway (June 6-8), Struer, Denmark (June 20-21), and Hankø, Norway (June 24-28). The mid-season continues in Riva del Garda, Italy (July 3-5), before the highlight of the season–the Melges 24 European Championship in Tønsberg, Norway (August 29-September 4). The final stretch includes the Danish Championship in Sønderborg (September 19-20), concluding with the Pula CRO Melges 24 Cup (September 25-27), which also sets the stage for the 2027 World Championship in Croatia. All the events are organised by the listed locations and their yacht clubs, in conjunction with the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA) and the respective National Class Associations. 

With the World Championship taking place this year in Harbor Springs, USA, the European title regatta stands as the key battleground for teams competing on this side of the Atlantic. Each event in the series forms part of a structured pathway, where consistency and performance across up to four best results will determine the overall standings, with the Europeans carrying increased weight.

Defending their position at the top of the fleet are RAZJAREN (CRO), owned by Lukasz Podniesinski and helmed by Ante Cesic, the reigning European Champions and two-time winners of the European Sailing Series. Entering the 2026 season with confidence but measured ambition, the Croatian team continues to build toward a longer-term goal.

“After winning two years in a row, we are quite relaxed for the 2026 European Sailing Series. We will go step by step, trying to improve ourselves at every event,” said Cesic. “At the same time, we are starting to look ahead to the 2027 Worlds in our home waters. That is our big target, but the journey begins now.”

The opening regatta in Opatija already reflects the strength of the fleet. Eighteen teams from five nations are entered, including a strong representation of the 2025 European Sailing Series leaders. Among the confirmed entries are top-ranked teams such as Lukasz Podniesinski’s RAZJAREN (CRO), Luka Šangulin’s PANJIC (CRO), Paolo Brescia’s MELGINA (ITA), Miles Quinton’s ZHIK RACE TEAM (GBR), Akos Csolto’s CHINOOK (HUN), Dino Orioli’s DAITO NANO (ITA), Ivo Matic’s MATARAN 24 (CRO), Giacomo Fossati’s TAKI 4 (ITA), Michael Tarabochia’s WHITE ROOM (GER), forming a highly competitive line-up from the very first event.

This fleet includes seven teams from the 2025 Overall Top 10 and the full Top 5 of the Corinthian ranking, underscoring the competitive depth already present at the season opener.

In the Corinthian fleet, particular attention will be on ZHIK RACE TEAM (GBR), helmed by Geoff Carveth, the 2025 Corinthian World Champions and European Sailing Series Corinthian winners. Returning to Opatija, where their 2025 campaign began, the British team enters the new season with a clear objective–to defend their Corinthian World title later this year in the United States. Among the other contenders for the Corinthian success are also Hungarian CHINOOK, the former overall and Corinthian winner of the series, and four-time Corinthian world champion Italian TAKI 4, helmed by Niccolo Bertola, to name only a few.

Beyond the established frontrunners, the fleet also reflects the continued growth and strength of the Croatian Melges 24 Class. Since its establishment in 2021, the fleet has developed into one of the largest and most competitive in the world. Strong organisation, consistent event delivery, and a growing base of top-level teams have positioned Croatia at the centre of the class’s global activity, culminating in the award of the 2027 Melges 24 World Championship to Pula.

The Opatija regatta will follow a compact, intensive format, with nine races scheduled over three days. Racing begins on Friday, April 10, with up to three races per day planned, ensuring a demanding and dynamic start to the season.

At the same time, the event continues to highlight the class’s commitment to youth development. Several U25 teams are entered, supported by ongoing coaching initiatives and national class efforts, including plans for a dedicated Croatian U25 Championship later this year.

Luka Šangulin, Croatian Melges 24 Class President and Member Europe in IM24CA Executive Committee: “Starting the season in Opatija with this level of competition is a strong signal for what lies ahead in 2026. The Croatian fleet has developed into one of the most active in the class, and we are proud to host teams from across Europe. At the same time, we are building momentum toward the 2027 Worlds in Pula, which is a major milestone for all of us.”

As the fleet gathers in Opatija, the tone is set for another highly competitive and international season. With proven champions, ambitious challengers, and the next generation stepping onto the stage, the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2026 is ready to begin.