Melges 15 - 2026 Open Events Schedule
The Melges 15 2026 open events calendar is here and it's worth getting excited about!
We've gone from a handful of boats to 37 M15s in Ireland in what feels like no time, and now we've got a season that matches the growth. One event per month from April through August, including the Europeans in Garda. This is the year to make it count.
The goal is simple: get as many boats as possible to the regionals and make a proper impact at the Europeans in Garda.
Logistics & Tech
Trailers: Always the challenge, but we've got good coverage in Howth now. For anyone looking to attend an away event but doesn't have a trailer, I'm happy to help coordinate - just message me.
Crew: We've got plenty of experience in the fleet now, and lots of Howth members have sailed M15s. If you need crew for an event, give me a shout and I'll help coordinate.
RaceSense: All events will be run using RaceSense and your Vakoras instrument.
The Westerns: 18th & 19th April
Venue: Lough Derg Yacht Club
Our season opener and the first time we're taking the fleet outside Dublin. Lough Derg YC is the perfect spot for it. The clubhouse bar is good fun and we'll organize a dinner at the Whiskey Still on Saturday night. If you've never sailed Lough Derg, have a look at these pics from the Fireball Worlds - it's a brilliant venue.
The Plan: Racing starts at 12:00 Saturday, so you can head down Saturday morning or join us for a few drinks Friday night.
The Social: We'll be in the club bar after sailing, then a class dinner at The Whiskey Still on Saturday night. It's always a great spot, so try to stay over if you can.
The Easterns: 23rd & 24th May
Venue: Royal Irish Yacht Club
Dry run for the Nationals. Same venue in August, so this is your chance to figure out the local shifts without the pressure!
The Northerns: 20th & 21st June
Venue: Howth Yacht Club
Home turf. You know what to expect. Let's make a real effort to get all 13 boats on the start line!
European Championships: 3rd – 5th July
Venue: Fraglia Vela Riva, Lake Garda
This is the big one - our signature event for 2026.
The Europeans, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva - one of the most prestigious clubs on Garda. Three days of racing in what is genuinely a world-class venue. If you've never sailed in Riva, it's hard to beat.
The town nestles at the north end of the lake where the mountains funnel the wind down, creating those legendary conditions that make Garda a mecca for dinghy sailing.
Expect reliable 12-18 knots, shifty but readable, and glorious sunshine. The M15s were made for these conditions - it should be spectacular sailing.
Three transport options:
Own boat: If we get 12 boats, there is the possibility to arrange transport at ~€1,100 per boat. Pack up Friday June 26, delivered Tuesday June 30, collected Monday after the event. However this option needs 12 boats to commit or its not financially viable.
Charter: €1,550 through Melges direct. Covers the three race days plus practice day. These are the new boats that were at the UK Endeavour event last year, so they should be in good condition. One advantage of the one-design is that they're all identical - you just hop in and go. Overall, the charter option has the fewest moving parts and might make the most sense. We'd need to decide quickly as boats are limited and entries are already in from the US and other European countries.
Via road: There's always the option to trailer your boat - ferry from Dublin to Cherbourg, then drive to Riva. You'll need to allow two days of driving either side. Might make sense if you have a camper van or are planning a longer holiday.
Travel
Direct flights Dublin to Verona (1 hour drive) or Milan Bergamo (1:50 drive). Easy to combine with a family holiday if that helps make it work - between the mountain biking, the food, and the scenery, there's plenty to do around the lake beyond the sailing.
National Championships: 22nd & 23rd August
Venue: Royal Irish Yacht Club The grand finale. After a full season of racing, everyone should be up to speed. With the fleet size we have now, the start line is going to be a serious sight.
Note: The Melges 15 Committee is currently looking at an event option for September... watch this space