South Lake Tahoe Windjammers YC Hosts Melges 24 Tahoe Championship

The South Lake Tahoe Windjammers Yacht Club (SLTWYC) hosted the Melges 24 Tahoe Championship regatta from August 22 through 24. Seven races were sailed, with no races sailed on the 23rd due to stormy conditions.

“All three days brought challenging light-air conditions for the fleet, with moody overcast skies and a pre-race thunderstorm,” SLTWYC rear commodore Eric Villardsen tells Latitude. “Our race committee managed to get off seven buoy races over three days, with 14 different teams making it the most well-attended West Coast Melges 24 event of the year.”

“Day one left those with light-air mojo and eyes on the breeze to connect the dots leading the fleet,” Villardsen continues. “On day two, unfortunately, storms and confused light air prevented the RC from getting off any racing. Day three saw some new boats finishing in the front of the pack once the breeze started to pick up, with some much tighter racing.”

Chop Chop (Tahoe Yacht Club), skippered by Matt Hamilton, won the event, with a net total of 10 points (each competitor was afforded one drop). Hamilton finished comfortably ahead of second-place Personal Puff (TYC), skippered by Dan Hauserman, who totaled a net of 21 points. Hamilton won three of the seven races sailed.

“South Lake Tahoe Windjammers Yacht Club really delivered a first-class event,” Hamilton tells Latitude. “From the race committee work on the water to the gatherings on shore, everything was top notch. The competition was fierce, with every team pushing their Melges 24s hard in challenging conditions — it was high-level racing all the way.”

“I’d like to thank the rear commodore, the PRO, and all the volunteers who made the event possible,” Ed Hancock, the skipper of Pure Prophet (White Sands YC/SLTWYC) tells Latitude. “It was great to race an M24 one design in such a beautiful setting. I thought the venue selection by Regan Beach really made the event feel special for local skippers. The water clarity in the near-shore area was amazing to race on, especially in the light-air conditions we experienced! I thought that the RC did a great job of managing those tough sailing conditions, and I know all of the RC were working hard to get square and appropriate courses set.”

“I enjoyed meeting other M24 skippers and crew from around the West; it was a chance for the West Coast (Best Coast?) fleet to build community,” Hancock continues. “Being able to learn more about the M24 from more experienced folks both onshore and on the race course was a highlight for me. I hope the event comes back to South Lake in the future, especially so we can complete the famed Fannette Island Race!”