Trondheim, Norway - Peder Nergaard, together with Petrus Eide, Fabian Spone and Morten Helgesen aboard Blow (NOR 787), were crowned 2026 Melges 24 Norwegian Champions after a hard-fought eight-race championship in Trondheim. The Fredrikstad Seilforening team secured the title ahead of Peder Jahre’s Storm Capital (NOR 751) and Helly Hansen II Lisa (NOR 697), helmed by Kristoffer Spone, completing a podium packed with some of Norway’s most successful Melges 24 sailors. The Melges 24 Norwegian Open Championship also served as Event 4 of the 2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series, attracting 23 teams and adding another important chapter to this year’s continental ranking battle.

Hosted by Trondhjems Seilforening, the championship delivered exactly what sailors hope for from a national title event: close racing, changing conditions, full-on hiking, tactical battles and plenty of excitement right through to the final races.

The opening day was unfortunately lost to light winds, but Saturday brought a steady westerly breeze that allowed five races to be completed. Strong current effects and favoured lanes rewarded tactical precision, producing close and competitive racing throughout the fleet. Going into the final day, several teams remained firmly in contention for the title.

Sunday presented a different challenge. After an early postponement, the fleet relocated to another race area, where a steady 10-12-knot breeze allowed the final three races to be completed. Currents, varying water depths and a short, steep chop created demanding conditions that tested both crews and equipment. The fleet spread out more than on the previous day, with experience proving decisive in the championship’s closing stages.

A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

The championship win marked the first Norwegian Melges 24 title for Peder Nergaard, who finally broke through against a fleet featuring some of the most successful sailors in Norwegian Melges 24 history, including 10-time champion Peder Jahre and six-time champion Kristoffer Spone.

In the end, Blow delivered exactly what was needed. With a remarkably consistent scoreline of 1-2-(4)-2-2-4-1-4, the team secured the championship title on 16 net points. Finishing second was Storm Capital, helmed by Peder Jahre on 19 points, while Kristoffer Spone's Helly Hansen II Lisa claimed third on 22 points. Fourth place went to Rett Rundt Hjørnet, skippered by Herman Horn-Johannessen, while Kaboom, helmed by Gisle Bjørsrud Bø, completed the top five.

2026 Norwegian Melges 24 Championship Podium

Gold - Blow (NOR 787) - Peder Nergaard, Petrus Eide, Fabian Spone, Morten Helgesen
Silver - Storm Capital (NOR 751) - Peder Jahre, Lillan Agerup, Halvor Albjerk Hamran, Pål Tønneson, Sivert Denneche
Bronze - Helly Hansen II Lisa (NOR 697) - Kristoffer Spone, Børre Hekk Paulsen, Christen Horn Johannessen, Sigurd Hekk Paulsen

“This feels great! We have been trying to achieve this for so many years, and finally making it happen is incredibly satisfying,” said Peder Nergaard.

“I am especially happy to see so many teams travelling to Trondheim and making this championship something truly special. The local fleet has grown to around twelve boats, and Trondhjems Seilforening delivered a very well-organised event.”

“We have built a very stable team over the years. Sailing together with Petrus, Fabian and Morten makes life much easier for me at the back of the boat. Over the last five years, I have also sailed many regattas in the Finn class, which has helped my driving skills tremendously. But most of all, this gold medal belongs to the team and the fact that they have stayed together for so long. Good boat speed and great tactics were instrumental to our success. Eight races with plenty of hiking and some planing conditions made for a fantastic championship.”

“Now we are looking forward to Hankø Race Week later this month and, of course, the European Championship in Tønsberg in September.”

Norwegian Melges 24 Class President Vemund Gransæther praised both the hosts and competitors after another successful national championship.

“The three days in Trondheim offered varying conditions and exceptional racing. We managed to complete a full championship despite losing the first day. Saturday’s racing rewarded tactical decisions and good lane selection, while Sunday’s more challenging conditions put a premium on experience and teamwork. Overall, it was a great and professional event with great conditions, great atmosphere and the best people.”

European Sailing Series Ranking Tightens After Four Events

The Norwegian Championship also counted as the fourth event of the 2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series and significantly reshaped the overall standings.

Germany’s White Room, helmed by Luis Tarabochia, leads the series with 33 points after three scoring events. Hungary’s Chinook remains second on 29 points, while the Trondheim champions Blow jump directly into third place with 24 points thanks to their victory. Fellow Norwegian teams Storm Capital, Helly Hansen II Lisa, Rett Rundt Hjørnet, Kaboom and Bagdad Prospects underline the remarkable strength of the Norwegian fleet, with five teams now sitting inside the overall Top 10.

The current Top 10 after four events is:

White Room (GER) Michael Tarabochia / Luis Tarabochia - 33 pts
Chinook (HUN) Akos Csolto - 29 pts
Blow (NOR) Peder Nergaard - 24 pts
Storm Capital (NOR) Peder Jahre - 23 pts
Helly Hansen II Lisa (NOR) Kristoffer Spone - 22 pts
Zhik Race Team (GBR) Miles Quinton / Geoff Carveth - 22 pts
Rett Rundt Hjørnet (NOR) Jan Frederik Dyvi / Herman Horn-Johannessen - 21 pts
Kaboom (NOR) Gisle Bjørsrud Bø - 20 pts
Daito Nano (ITA) Dino Orioli - 19 pts
Bagdad Prospects (NOR) Tomas Mathisen / Alexander Hylen Klippenberg - 19 pts

2026 Melges 24 European Sailing Series ranking after 4 events

With four events now completed, the battle for the European Sailing Series is almost halfway. Only a team’s best four results will count towards the final ranking, meaning every regatta remains crucial as the season progresses.

The Melges 24 European Sailing Series now moves into one of its busiest periods of the season. Next on the calendar is the Melges 24 Danish National Championship in Struer, Denmark, on 20–21 June. The fleet will then head to Norway for the Melges 24 Nordic Championship during Hankø Race Week from 24–28 June before returning south to Lake Garda for the Italian National Championship - Trofeo Gaudi in Riva del Garda, Italy, on 3–5 July.

With the Nordic season now in full swing and the 2026 Melges 24 European Championship in Tønsberg drawing ever closer, the battle for both national and international honours is only just heating up.