Episode #131: Melinda Erkelens on Keeping Sailing Fun and Sustainable

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Melinda Erkelens to chat her professional sailing career and mission. Melinda has sailed over 30,000 nautical miles — including 10 races to Hawaii — and has spent 19 years as General Counsel for three America’s Cup teams.

Hear how to make a career out of sailing, how to continue loving sailing when it’s your job, her “arranged marriage” with Bill, how the Bay Area sailing community compares to sailing communities around the world, and how to get more women interested in offshore sailing.

This episode covers everything from racing to being a sailing power couple. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• Does Melinda come from a sailing family?
• How did she meet Bill?
• Who is Francesca Clapcich?
• What is Melinda’s role with Francesca?
• Which women sailors inspired Melinda as a kid?
• What makes the sailing community stick together?
• How was the Three Bridge Fiasco?
• Short Tacks: Where would Melinda still like to sail?

Learn more at 11thHourRacing.org and UpWindByMerConcept.com. And listen to our podcast with Bill Erkelens here. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes:

• Melinda Erkelens on Keeping Sailing Fun and Sustainable
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:26] John Arndt
  • [0:31] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [0:47] Learn more at 11thHourRacing.org and UpWindByMerConcept.com
  • [2:35] What’s a story that shaped Melinda as a sailor?
  • [3:00] Pac Cup (Pacific Cup)
  • [4:32] Does Melinda come from a sailing family?
  • [5:47] Did her parents ever sail?
  • [6:24] Richmond Yacht Club (RYC)
  • [6:28] How did Melinda meet Bill?
  • [7:26] How long after did they get married?
  • [8:04] How did Melinda become a professional sailor?
  • [10:48] How does she decide which boats to race?
  • [11:35] How was the Three Bridge Fiasco?
  • [13:05] Moe Roddy
  • [13:24] 11th Hour Racing
  • [14:28] Who is Francesca Clapcich?
  • [16:43] Vendée Globe
  • [16:51] UpWind by Mer Concept
  • [17:19] What is Melinda’s role with Francesca?
  • [18:18] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • Sailing Community
  • [19:17] Which women sailors inspired Melinda as a kid?
  • [23:41] What makes the sailing community stick together?
  • [25:32] How does the Bay Area sailing community compare to other sailing communities around the world?
  • [27:57] COVID-19
  • [28:58] Send your sailing photos to [email protected]. Check out our monthly Sailagram feed at Latitude38.com/Sailagram
  • Short Tacks
  • [29:30] What is Melinda’s favorite sailboat make and model?
  • [30:43] Does she do any cruising?
  • [31:37] What’s her longest voyage?
  • [32:17] Where’s her favorite place to sail besides the Bay Area? 
  • [32:57] Where would she still like to sail?
  • [33:34] How do you get more people to sail?
  • [34:30] What’s Melinda’s most important piece of safety equipment in addition to a life jacket?
  • [35:04] The Billionaire and the Mechanic by Julian Guthrie, Go for the Gold by Garry Hoyt, Wind and Strategy by Stuart Walker 
  • [35:42] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [35:50] What do Melinda & Bill have planned next?
  • [37:14] Learn more at 11thHourRacing.org and UpWindByMerConcept.com
  • [38:28] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [38:35] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [38:39] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [38:46] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [38:52] Check out the February 2024 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS