The Melges 24 North American Championships delivered a week of tight racing, shifting conditions, and strong competition showcasing just how deep the class has become. From the day one to the final race, teams were pushed to refine their speed, strategy, and consistency in pursuit of the title — and among those making the most of the opportunity were Harry Melges IV and the Zenda Express crew.
From start to finish, Zenda Express showed they had speed, but what really set them apart was how much they improved over the week. Matching up against strong competitors, the team refined their strategy and consistency every day, and by the final race, all that work paid off with a well-earned North American Championship win.
A big part of that success came from the team’s sail setup. Zenda Express raced with the newly released North Sails Mi4 mainsail and the soon-to-be-released North Sails Ji9 jib. The Mi4 keeps the proven flying shape of the Mi2 but with a much cleaner, smoother finish, while the Ji9 jib was designed slightly fuller to make the boat easier to drive, particularly in lighter air. During the championship, the sails proved forgiving and effective in the moderate conditions, giving the team both speed and control.
The event was also a bit of a homecoming for Allan Terhune Jr, onboard Zenda Express, after an 18 year hiatus of sailing in the fleet. While the boat still feels familiar, one thing that’s really changed is downwind sailing. Terhune explains, “These days, picking the right mode can make or break a race, and it’s what sets the top teams apart.” Over the week, Zenda Express got noticeably sharper in this area, showing just how quickly they were able to adapt and improve. “Every day we learned something new, and by the end of the week, we could really see the gains on the water,” Terhune said.
The energy was just as high off the water. Two brand-new Melges 24s drew a lot of attention on the dock, a clear sign that the class continues to grow and attract fresh talent. “Even though this was the Bacardi Winter Series 1, it really felt like a Melges 24 event,” Terhune said. “For the first time in quite a few years, there were more Melges 24s than any other fleet.”
With a North American title in hand, Zenda Express and the rest of the fleet are already looking ahead to the remaining Bacardi events and the Melges 24 World Championship. Upgrades, fine-tuning rigs, and continued sail development will be key, but if Bacardi was any indication, the Melges 24 class is strong, competitive, and more exciting than ever.