Happy Wednesday everyone...
In today's newsletter:
- Behind the scenes of an Olympic campaign – with US kitefoiler Daniela Moroz
- Melges transitions to new ownership after 80 years of family leadership
- Yacht Club Gaeta EVS and Argo Challenge target Youth and Women's America's Cup participation crewed by sailors with physical disabilities
- ClubSwan Racing season set for spectacular Grand Finale in Saint-Tropez
- SailGP Cadiz Review: Who, How and Why in Spain
- Paradox³ trimaran up for sale
- Quiz Question
Behind the scenes of an Olympic campaign – with US kitefoiler Daniela Moroz
What a gift. American kitefoiler Daniela Moroz and her comms team have put together a wonderful 15-minute glimpse of the real life world of an Olympic campaigner.
Moroz won her first Formula Kite world championship in 2016 at the age of 15 and since then has won four more. At last week's 2025 World Championship in Cagliari, Italy she finished in the bronze medal position
I interviewed Daniela back in 2022 in her hometown of San Francisco when she briefly became involved in the Jimmy Spithill-era American SailGP team and I remember being instantly captivated by her easy charm and unassuming personality.
She missed out on a medal at Paris 2024 after some questionable umpiring decisions in the last race of the four-way final series and has since publicly revealed that she had become burned out with the Olympic kitesurfing scene.
Now she's back, however, and on the campaign trail once again for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. In this first 15-minute video – in what I really, really hope will be a long series leading up to the LA28 Olympic regatta – Moroz lifts the curtain in a highly engaging manner on her life as an Olympic kitesurfer.
It's an easy and interesting watch with great filming and editing by Nina Font. If other Olympic sailors adopted this approach to telling their campaign backstories it could help solve some of the problems sailing has with its tenuous position in the Olympic structure right now.
Great work Daniela. More of the same soon please!
Melges transitions to new ownership after 80 years of family leadership
After more than 80 years of family leadership, Melges Performance Sailboats is turning the page to a new chapter. The iconic brand, founded by Harry C. Melges and nurtured across three generations, has been purchased by Cate Muller-Terhune and Allan Terhune Jr.
For eight decades, Melges Performance Sailboats has been synonymous with innovation, speed, and a deep passion for one-design sailing. From championship-winning scows to the internationally successful lineup of Melges sportboats, the company has shaped the sport and inspired generations of sailors worldwide.
The transition of ownership reflects both a celebration of the Melges family legacy and a bold step forward. Cate and Allan Terhune bring extensive experience as lifelong sailors, industry leaders, and class advocates. They are committed to honoring Melges’ heritage while guiding the company into its next era of growth.
The Terhunes also represent a new era of industry leadership, balancing championship-winning campaigns with contributions to sail design, class development, and leadership in the sport. Their partnership reflects the modern face of competitive sailing: innovative, collaborative, and dedicated to growing the sport at every level.
Cate Muller-Terhune is an accomplished sailor and businesswoman in her own right. She began her marketing career in the sailing industry, and later went on to handle marketing and business development of her family’s architecture firm. She has spent the last four years as President of the firm, aiding and overseeing tremendous growth. In her sailing life, Cate serves in several leadership positions with the J/70 Class, Storm Trysail Club, and as a founding member of Spectrum Sailing.
Allan Terhune Jr. has an extensive background in competitive and professional sailing, as well as sail development and design. A three-time World Champion and Pan-American Games Gold Medalist, he has led North Sails’ North American One-Design division since 2007, while earning 14 National and Continental titles of his own. A graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, Allan has also been recognized with US Sailing’s One Design Leadership Award and is a three-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year finalist.
“Melges has always been about more than boats. It’s about the people, competition, and community,” said Cate and Allan in a joint statement. “We are humbled that Harry has entrusted us with taking the next leap towards an amazing future. We are excited to carry on this incredible legacy and join an amazing team that is expanding opportunities for sailors everywhere to experience the joy and excellence that the Melges brand represents.”
The Melges family expressed pride in passing the torch to such passionate stewards of the sport.
“Our family has dedicated generations to building Melges into what it is today,” said Harry Melges III. “We know the Terhunes will honor that history while continuing to innovate and inspire the sailing world.”
Melges Performance Sailboats will remain headquartered in Zenda, Wisconsin, with the same focus on high-quality design, customer service, and class support that has defined the brand since its inception. In addition, the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL, will continue to operate as a hub for racing, education, and community building.
Andy Burdick continues as President of Melges, and Harry Melges III will remain with the company in his new role as Board Member. The entire team at Melges is steadfast in its commitment to strengthening existing classes, supporting grassroots sailing, and continuing the legacy of Melges leading the global sailing community.
“We are excited to join forces with Cate and Allan, whose vision and values align closely with our own. We’ve done some incredible work over my 40 years at Melges,” said Burdick. “I see this as the beginning of a new chapter—one that will allow us to accelerate growth, strengthen our capabilities, and continue to deliver exceptional value to the sailing community.”
As Melges Performance Sailboats enters this exciting new chapter, one thing remains unchanged: the spirit of excellence and camaraderie that has defined the brand since 1945.
Yacht Club Gaeta EVS and Argo Challenge target Youth and Women's America's Cup participation crewed by sailors with physical disabilities
The Yacht Club Gaeta "Egeo Vittorio Simeone" and Argo Challenge have announced a groundbreaking partnership with an ambitious goal: to compete in the 2027 America's Cup with a mixed team of male and female sailors with physical disabilities.
Their sights are set on participating in both the Youth and Women's America's Cup events, to be held in Naples. Pending approval, the team also aims to compete in AC40 races alongside official crews preparing for the 38th edition of the prestigious competition.
"This is a possible challenge because this type of boat can be sailed safely, even by sailors with physical disabilities," says Lars Grael, a highly talented Brazilian sailor with two Olympic medals.
"There is no shortage of high-level male and female sailors with disabilities, so with adequate training, there is a possibility of being competitive. With the exclusion of sailing from the Paralympic Games, there is no longer a high-level stage for disabled sailors. Argo Challenge also wants to promote this. As always, Argo will have all my support!"
Grael, who lost a leg in a regatta accident, became a world champion and a bronze medallist in the Star Class, as well was a world sailor in the 12-meter Class.
Vincenzo Addessi, President of the Yacht Club Gaeta, emphasised the significance of this initiative for the region: "We are proud to be part of this important sporting and social mission. Gaeta will be the home of Argo Challenge - together we'll make history."
Antonio Spinelli, President of Argo Challenge, expressed optimism: "This project brings together my passions for sailing and inclusion. Many in the America's Cup community support our vision, and we hope to gain the backing of Italian institutions as well. It's a bold journey - and it begins in Naples."
Argo Challenge previously tried – ultimately unsuccessfully - to mount a challenge for the 34th America's Cup in San Francisco with a campaign led by Lars Grael.
Now though, given that the current foiling era of America's Cup racing has removed many of the purely physical barriers facing sailors with physical disabilities, might this new campaign find it easier to gain traction?
Time will tell, but we will be keeping a close eye on how this campaign develops – so watch this space.
ClubSwan Racing season set for spectacular Grand Finale in Saint-Tropez
For the very first time, the world’s most prestigious Swan One Design event, The Nations Trophy, will be held in Saint-Tropez, with the support of the City of Saint-Tropez and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, marking the grand finale of the 2025 Nations League and the conclusion of an exceptional ClubSwan Racing season.
Launched in 2017 to reignite the concept of friendly competition between nations, The Nations Trophy has quickly become the focal point of the Swan One Design world.
Held biennially, past editions took place in Palma de Mallorca (2017, 2019, 2021) and Porto Cervo (2023). The 2025 edition now arrives in Saint-Tropez for the first time, bringing together a record fleet of 50 Swan yachts representing 15 nations, with sailors from over 30 countries.
“The ClubSwan world represents significant value for our shipyard,” says Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan. “Since the 1980s Nautor Swan has aimed to organize events exclusively dedicated to the Swan World. A few years ago, we responded to the desire of many owners to race in highlevel one-design classes while remaining within the unique Swan atmosphere, and we created ClubSwan Racing. Starting this year, we’re opening the Nations Trophy regattas to the rating world as well, allowing many Swan yachts with strong personalities to take part.”
This unique edition – which starts today – will not only gather the world’s top Swan One Design teams in the ClubSwan 50, 43, 42, 36, 45, and 28 classes, but will also feature, for the first time, the Swan Rating fleet, uniting the entire Swan family for an unforgettable celebration on the water. Over the course of five days of racing and four nights of festivities, Saint-Tropez will become the stage for a true festival of sport, lifestyle, and camaraderie.
The Nations Trophy in Saint-Tropez will be packed with world-class talent joining the already shining line up of top sailors competing in The Nations League 2025, including Olympic medalists, America’s Cup legends, and elite talents from around the world.
Pietro Sibello (Alinghi Red Bull Racing coach) joins Lady Ghada, while Olympic medalists Mikaela Wulff, Luke Patience, Nicholas Heiner, Nick Rogers, and Will Ryan race across the fleets. Jochen Schümann, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, sails on Olymp, and Taylor Canfield, SailGP USA helmsman, competes with Freya.
The Nations Trophy 2025 will decide not only the best-performing nation of the week, but also the overall winners of the Nations League 2025.
In the ClubSwan 50 class, Earlybird holds a strong lead over Hatari. The ClubSwan 42 fleet is poised for a showdown between Pez de Abril and Nadir, separated by only five points. The ClubSwan 36 class sees Fra Martina holding a narrow three-point advantage over Goddess and G Spot, while in the ClubSwan 28 division Marcello leads ahead of Anya Race, winner of the last stage in Scarlino.
The ClubSwan 28 fleet will also welcome exciting new entries in Saint-Tropez, including J. Cross, Commodore of the NYYC, with Freya, William Douglass on Goombay Smash, German owner Jan Adam and the Sanlorenzo team helmed by Ferruccio Rossi, underlining the rapid growth and international appeal of this newest one-design class.
SailGP Cadiz Review: Who, How and Why in Spain
It was the penultimate event in the 2025 SailGP season and there is simply no question that this year has been the most competitive so far for the 5 year old event – writes Matt Sheahan from PlanetSail.
Those that had been here before knew that Cadiz could throw up anything to deliver one of the trickiest race courses on the circuit. And when you see teams that have dominated the racing for years come last you can be sure that this isn't simply a dose of hype.
Cadiz was tough for everyone and delivered the best penultimate event in the history of SailGP by demonstrating: a) how fiercely competitive all the teams are, b)how any one of them can win a race and c) setting up a big show down for Abu Dhabi, where no one has a guaranteed place in the final – not yet at least.
Paradox³ trimaran up for sale
If you enjoyed our two recent stories (one, two) about the cruising-oriented racing trimaran Paradox³ then here's your chance to make her your own.
Designed by Nigel Irens and Benoit Cabaret, Paradox³ was built by Marsaudon Composites in Lorient, France, from resin-infused carbon and foam laid up in female moulds that were also used for the Grand Prix racing ORMA 60s Fujifilm and Banque Populaire.
Although built in these moulds, she is a custom designed yacht from the start, with extra structure in the hulls and beams to take the extra loads of additional equipment and systems.
She is an incredibly fast boat that can cruise comfortably at sustained speeds of over 20 knots, touching 30 knots when sailing flat-out when the pedal is pressed hard and capable of 600 miles per day.
Her C foils have added more performance and VMG gains and stability at higher speeds. She has won her class in multiple international ocean races.
A 2025 Fastnet MOCRA Class Winner, Paradox³ was also the first boat home overall and claimed Multihull Line Honours in the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race — a remarkable achievement and standout performance in one of Europe’s most challenging offshore sailing events.
Quiz Question...
Which skipper famously won the Vendée Globe despite having given the fleet a two-day head start when a leaky ballast tank forced him to return to Les Sables-d’Olonne just 24 hours after the start?
Answer in the next newsletter...
Yesterday's answer: The link between SailGP sailors Dylan Fletcher (helmsman for Emirates GBR) and Stuart Bithell (wing trimmer on Germany by Deutsche Bank) is that together they won gold in the 49er class at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
