Melges 15 Summer Regatta Annapolis 2025 – This August 23–24, Annapolis becomes the center of Melges 15 action as the Severn Sailing Association (SSA) hosts the highly anticipated Summer Regatta. Racing will unfold on the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay’s famed waters, offering a thrilling mix of local breeze and tidal challenge.
This regatta rounds out the newly introduced Annapolis Triple Crown Series, which began in early May with the Sailing World Series (May 3–5), continued with the SSA Spring Series (May 18–19), and climaxed with the East Coast Championship (May 30–June 1). These successive events created a vibrant crescendo of racing that has set the stage for the Summer Regatta to shine.
While the Summer Regatta focuses on fleet racing in Annapolis, it sits on the heels of the East Coast Championship held at Centerport Yacht Club. That event saw nearly 40 boats competing, buoyed by an influx of new hulls—including the milestone boat #999—delivered by Melges Performance Sailboats just for the occasion. The East Coast event underscored the region’s growing Melges 15 community, driven by spirited Long Island fleets and active club programs.
As of now, there’s no official news yet on which past winners will compete in this Summer Regatta. However, the East Coast Championship featured some standout names worth watching: the Simkins family—Alison, Brian, and their young daughter Hallie—raced spiritedly in club-owned boats and highlight the growing generational involvement in the class. At the European Championship, the Haig family—John racing alongside Emily or Dana—made headlines worldwide, though it’s not confirmed whether they’ll be in Annapolis.
What to expect:
- Competitive and accessible racing: The Melges 15 continues to blend high performance with approachability, drawing both seasoned racers and newcomers—including families and juniors—into tightly packed, tactical fleets.
- Community vibrancy: Annapolis’s fleet benefits from SSA’s infrastructure, enthusiastic race committees, on-water coaching, and lively class culture.
- Great conditions: Late August typically brings reliable southerly breezes and exciting tides—perfect for both planing runs and strategic racecraft.
All signs point to this regatta being a fitting cap to Annapolis’s Summer sailing scene. Whether you’re spectating or competing, mark your calendar—this Summer Regatta promises classic Melges 15 fun and fierce, close-quarters racing on Chesapeake’s shimmering stage.
For inspiration check out highlights from Day 1 of the 2024 Melges 15 National Championships:
