The 2024-25 Winter marked a new chapter in Kent Sisk's competitive sailing with the addition of a Melges MC Scow. Not only did he acquire his first Melges MC Scow, but he also dove headfirst into the competitive MC circuit by participating in the 2025 Midwinter Championship. In addition, he experienced the facilities and coaching at the Melges Watersports Center, an opportunity that played a pivotal role in his transition to the new class.
Coming from a background of racing E Scows and Melges 24s, Kent was no stranger to high-performance sailing, but the shift to the MC Scow offered a fresh challenge—one that he eagerly embraced. Melges’s Andy Burdick chatted with Kent to see what he thought of his first season onboard with the MC Class.
AB: Congratulations on getting a new Melges MC! You jumped right into the class and attended all three MC events at the Melges Watersports Events. What motivated you to jump in and do all of these events?
KS: I have been talking about buying an MC for a couple of years. I have been racing E Scows at Crystal Lake for a few years, and I have seen the great MC fleet there and the people I know that race them love them. I used to race Lasers, but I was always too big for the boat. I have missed racing a single-handed boat, and the MC seemed like a great fit.
If I was going to jump into a new class for me, being able to do all the Melges events with the coaching seemed like a great way to get up to speed. I have been racing Melges 24s for close to 30 years and currently own one; I have always been impressed with the quality of Melges boats. Also, who wouldn’t want to race in Florida during the winter?
AB: The Melges Watersports Center has a unique setup for the MC Class - sailing and racing clinics before the regattas and coaching through the racing. We’re here to help you sail the boat better, recognize shifts, and so on. Was this beneficial to your climb up the MC ladder?
KS: In 30-plus years of sailing, this has been the best learning experience I have ever had. I have been to a couple of clinics in the past, but nothing compares to the quality or level of coaching you get at the Melges Watersports Center. The debriefs with the drone footage really take everything to the next level. I have been able to go back and watch the videos multiple times and learn something new every time I watch it. When I showed up sailing an MC for the first time, my tacks and jibes were horrendous, and I had a hard time figuring out the proper heel angle. The coaches helped me and solved all that the first weekend so I could keep my head out of the boat while racing. I got better and better with each event, and that was because of the coaching and time in the boat that I was able to get.
AB: The MC Midwinters had over 70 boats on the line. How did the Melges coaching help you in the regatta, and how did you feel about your overall result?
KS: I was able to show up to my first major regatta and not worry about boat handling or boat speed. We had every condition, and I was always confident because of my training. I did have one bad race, but that was because I had a bad start and I let myself get pushed the wrong way, not because I was slow. I ended up getting 22 nd for the regatta, and I am extremely happy with my result. I wouldn’t have done that well without the previous events I attended at the Watersports Center.
AB: Melges is pushing to provide more coaching and services at the new Watersports Center. Would you recommend the clinics and regattas to others?
KS: I would absolutely recommend this to anyone! The coaching, the service, the facility, and the sailing venue can’t be beat. If you want to sail faster, or if you just want to have an amazing time at a fantastic location, do it! I will be back at all the events next year. Thank you for what you have created.
ANDY BURDICK
Andy Burdick has been a lifelong ambassador for the Inland Lake Yachting Association and a tireless advocate for the sport of sailing. He eagerly shares his skills and knowledge with anyone who inquires, routinely leading clinics and proudly representing 4 generations of Burdick sailors. He has won over 60 championships during the course of his sailing career, spanning four decades in many classes.