The historic schooner ‘Manitou’ shares Grand Traverse Bay with the Melges 24 fleet during Thursday’s light-air practice session, as photographed by Anna Suslova. A view from above, teams wait patiently for the breeze while making their final preparations for three days of championship racing.
Traverse City, MI — The Melges 24 U.S. National Championship is one of the fleet’s most anticipated events of the year. It is where a season of hard-fought racing can pay off as expected—or where Lady Luck smiles, the stars align and an unexpected contender breaks through. When that happens, it is pretty sweet.

The 2026 edition promises plenty of heat. Beginning Friday, August 14, 46 teams will contest three days of championship racing on Grand Traverse Bay, hosted by Grand Traverse Yacht Club (GTYC). With the Melges 24 World Championship approaching September 19–26 in Harbor Springs, the Nationals represents the fleet’s most significant dress rehearsal before the world title goes on the line.

The Open Division is stacked with proven champions and formidable contenders. Two-time U.S. National Champion Bora Gulari returns aboard Mavi, joined by 2024 champion Geoff Fargo’s Sentinel and 2019 winner Michael Goldfarb on WarCanoe, armed with a brand-spanking new Melges 24. Reigning champion Cuyler Morris and his Dark Horse team are back to defend their title, while 2022 World Champion Peter Duncan brings Shiitake to Traverse City as the only former Champ among the skippers entered.

LIGHT-AIR WARM-UP: Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy cuts through the foreground as two-time U.S. National Champion Bora Gulari’s Mavi sails in the distance, as photographed by Anna Suslova. Despite light conditions on Grand Traverse Bay, teams took full advantage of Thursday’s practice session to get the blood pumping as they make their final preparations before racing begins.
The depth extends well beyond the past champions. Among the notable new faces is accomplished professional sailor Travis Odenbach, whose acquisition of Big Cat represents more than just a new campaign—it is a significant vote of confidence in the strength and future of the Melges 24 Class. Dick Kalow’s Mustang, Sandra Askew’s Flying Jenny, Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy and Peter McClennen’s Gamecock headline a formidable group capable of disrupting the leaderboard.

For World Championship-bound teams, every start, tactical decision and maneuver will offer valuable intelligence. Traverse City is the place to push boats and crews under true championship pressure, expose weaknesses and work through the final details before Harbor Springs.

The Corinthian contest may prove even more unpredictable. Twenty-six of the 46 teams have qualified for the all-amateur division—more than half the fleet and a strong indicator of the continued growth and health of Melges 24 racing in North America.

TROUBLE IS STEWING: The bow of Eddie Gary’s Troublemaker participates in Thursday’s final tune-up, as photographed by Anna Suslova. Relatively new to the fleet yet already the 2025 Melges 24 North American Corinthian Champion, Gary embodies the spirit of the all-amateur division—talented sailors with day jobs competing at an elite level, united by fierce competition, genuine camaraderie and an unmistakable love of the sport. With 26 teams qualified, the Corinthian arena is crowded yet promises to be one of the week’s most compelling to watch.
Eddie Gary’s Troublemaker, Mike Dow’s Flying Toaster and Jaime Torres’ Smile and Wave are among the teams expected to feature prominently. Mike Gozzard’s Rush, Fred Rozelle’s Rustler, Rob Terry’s Kraken and Duane Yoslov’s Looper add still more firepower to a division deep enough to produce its own championship thriller. Returning and developing teams, including Nick Miller on Bigfoot and Connor Baker’s Outlier, further strengthen a field in which no result can be taken for granted.

The 46-boat turnout is larger than last year’s Nationals, while the increase in Corinthian participation provides an additional milestone worth recognizing.

On Thursday, competitors put in more practice time, completed registration and fulfilled all required championship formalities before gathering for the evening skippers’ meeting. Regatta Chair Scot Zimmerman, who has worked for the past two years to help drive participation and deliver the championship, welcomed the fleet and set the stage for the racing ahead.

Now, set the burners on high. Over three days on Grand Traverse Bay, the fleet will simmer steadily toward Sunday’s finale, when the next Melges 24 U.S. National Champions will be crowned.

Melges 24 racing fans can follow the action in real time through official live tracking provided by Vakaros. Tracking links will be circulated on the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association website and social media channels. For news, photos, results and updates throughout the event, follow the U.S. Melges 24 Class, International Melges 24 Class and Grand Traverse Yacht Club official channels.