The 2026 Melges 24 World Championship concluded in Harbour Springs, Michigan, with Anthony Kotoun’s Wah Gwan (USA 865) winning the overall title by a significant 29-point margin. On the final day, Duane Yoslov’s Looper (USA 855) staged an impressive comeback to secure the Corinthian title, finishing nine points ahead of their competitors.
As the final day of racing began, many anticipated challenging conditions. However, a light breeze of 4 to 5 knots developed, allowing the race committee to complete the final two races of the championship. Wah Gwan, having started the day with a commanding lead, opted not to race in the last race after clinching the championship with a third-place finish in Race 11.
The team of Kotoun, Grant Janov, Jordan Janov, Franny Schulte, and Stu McNay demonstrated exceptional skill, achieving three race victories and maintaining consistent top finishes throughout the series.
In the Corinthian division, Looper faced stiff competition from Troublemaker / Gill Race Team. After an intense battle, Looper finished seventh in Race 11, securing the Corinthian division win, while Troublemaker finished 19th, shifting the balance of the championship. A 15th-place finish in the final race was sufficient for Looper to claim the Corinthian World Championship.
This year’s championship was marked by various challenges, including fluctuating weather conditions that tested the 49-boat fleet. The race committee, led by Principal Race Officer Mark Foster, successfully executed the full 12-race schedule despite initial concerns about the weather.
The event culminated in an awards ceremony at Nub’s Nob Ski Area, celebrating the achievements of all competitors. Special trophies were awarded, including the Meier Trophy for the highest-finishing female helmsperson, presented to Sandy Askew of Flying Jenny (USA 869).
With the 2026 championship now concluded, the Melges 24 fleet looks forward to the upcoming 2027 World Championship, set to be held in Pula, Croatia, from May 29 to June 5, 2027.
Event Website: https://2026worlds.melges24.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/World.of.Melges24
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldofmelges24/
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