The 2026 Melges 24 European Championship in Tønsberg saw no racing on Day 2 as insufficient wind kept the fleet idle despite sunshine and summery conditions in Norway’s summer capital. September arrived with blue skies but not the breeze sailors needed to get back on the water.
At the midday Competitors’ Briefing, Principal Race Officer David Bartol, Eirik Brekke and the International Jury reviewed the opening day’s action and assessed the afternoon forecast. Lighter winds and reduced swell were anticipated, and Bartol indicated he would be satisfied if the fleet could squeeze in a single race.
As planned, competitors stayed ashore through the morning before leaving the harbour shortly after 13:00 to wait afloat for a possible first warning signal at 14:30. Out on the racecourse, however, the sea remained flat and glassy beneath sunny skies.
The Race Committee held position and waited patiently for the breeze to fill in, but racing conditions never materialised. At 16:15, AP over A was displayed, signalling that no further racing would take place for the remainder of the day.
“Unfortunately, the wind disappeared on us today,” said Eirik Brekke. “We waited for almost two hours, but eventually had to give up and head back. Save your energy, be ready and come back strong tomorrow.”
With no races completed, results and overall standings remain unchanged from Day 1.
The outlook for Day 3 is far more encouraging. “The forecast is for southwesterly winds of around 15 knots, possibly increasing to 25 knots,” said Eirik Brekke. “We expect very good conditions for these boats. The day may begin calmly, but the wind should build during the afternoon, and we hope to see around 20 knots by the end of the day.”
The Competitors’ Briefing is scheduled for 09:00, with the first warning signal set for 11:00. The Race Committee intends to run four races to make up for the lost day.
The Melges 24 European Championship is hosted from 29 August to 4 September by Tønsberg Seilforening, in cooperation with the Norwegian Melges 24 Class Association and the International Melges 24 Class Association (IM24CA).
