Smile and Wave Sailing

We just wrapped up the first half of a fun freshwater racing season in Michigan. 17 Melges 24s showed up for the Sailing World Regatta Series Detroit, a spectacular event with great on and off the water action.

Most of our regular crew could not make the event due to various issues. While the driver did everything possible to destroy our chances of success with the worst possible starts, our pickup team delivered crisp boat handling and on-point course tactics on the shifty winds to move us to the top of the pack.

The competition was tough. Local Team Mavi, led by Bora Guliari, crushed the rest of the pro fleet with 4 bullets in his scoreline. Andy Picel brought in the heavy guns and used them wisely against the fleet, scored a bullet in the last race, and ended as first runner-up ahead of Sandra Askew on Flying Jenny.

The Corinthian teams mixed in with the pros a lot! Sin Duda sailed a phenomenal regatta, consistently finishing in the top 5 on every race, including a 2nd on the final, on their way to 4th overall, missing the overall podium by a skinny 2 points. Our gracious Crescent Sail Yacht Club host, Fred Rozelle, sailed with his family (so jealous!). He was very fast all weekend and earned a well-deserved 2nd place in his home turf. Smile and Wave got the final podium position. We sort of redeemed ourselves in the last race with our only decent start and 4th.

Our crew for this event was Misha Mayevsky on bow Tiberius Trifu #2, Tommy Sawchuk on trim, and Deseau calling tactics. I was driving (if you can call it that!)

So many thanks to the Bayview Yacht Club for the amazing shoreside activities and spot-on RC work. They ran a techies' dream event with MarkSetBots and Vakaros and delivered 5 superb light air races over 2 days.

The boat and van have now been put away until August, when we head to Traverse City for the Melges 24 Nationals and then to Harbor Springs for Pre-Worlds and Worlds.


Neil Battrum
Laura Muma

Corinthian sailing. Here is our take on it.

INTERVIEW: Jaime Torres — A Corinthian Competitor Through and Through — U.S. Melges 24 Class Association Jaime Torres of Smile and Wave discusses Corinthian racing in the Melges 24 Class, sharing insights on team building, preparation, tuning, crew management, and the growing competitiveness of the Corinthian fleet.

Muskegon baby!

Muskegon Spring Championship Opens 2026 Quantum Great Lakes Cup Season — U.S. Melges 24 Class Association The 2026 Muskegon Spring Championship opens the Quantum Sails Melges 24 Great Lakes Cup season with 26 teams, top Corinthian competitors, and an important early step on the road to the Melges 24 World Championship in Harbor Springs.

2nd of 3 parts. On to Chicago with the little Kia that can!

On the rack for some well deserved TLC. Neil Battrum making happen!

Melges 24

Enjoy this great little video of our recent Melgames Melges 24 Regatta at Davis Island Yacht Club.

Amazing conditions and great racing. Many thanks to Nadia Daggett and the RC team for a great job.

Let's do more of this!

DIYC hosts Melges 24 Regatta DIYC hosts Melges 24 Regatta on May 2-3, 2026. Race management was provided by Melbourne Yacht Club, Melbourne Florida. Race conditions were ideal with 9 Mel...

Roadtrip! On our way to Muskegon and beyond for a summer of freshwater sailing!

Muskegon, Michigan for Spring Championships
Detroit, Michigan for SWRS
Newport , RI for Sail Newport Melges 24 East Coast Champs
Traverse City, Michigan for Melges 24 Nationals
Harbor Springs, Michigan for Pre Worlds and Worlds.

https://mailchi.mp/5e9e701ca680/back-to-the-future-inside-the-new-antigua-racing-cup?e=10efd363ef

Back to the Future: Inside the New Antigua Racing Cup The Antigua Racing Cup may be the newest regatta in the Caribbean, but its roots run deep in the sailing history of Antigua & Barbuda. Created as the evolutionary spin-off from Antigua Sailing Week, the Antigua Racing Cup represents a bold reset. Rather than stretching one large event to serve many....