This is why the Melges 24/32 are so successful as both a company and a yacht, we met Buddy Melges in the beer tent at Key West 2006, and without a question he gave us quick interview in the style of Victor Kiam, Buddy Melges you’re the Man. Buddy is Melges yachts
Buddy, age 68, a native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin . . . married, one daughter, two sons. He is an internationally known and respected yachtsman who is perhaps the most well-known as the winning helmsman on the America’s Cup yacht “America3″ which successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1992. His Olympic successes include a Bronze medal in 1964 in the Flying Dutchman sailboat and a Gold medal in 1972 in the Soling Class. He has won well over 60 major national and international sailing championships and ice boating titles. He is a member of the Lake Geneva yacht Club, Chicago Yacht Club, Columbia Yacht Club, Milwaukee Yacht Club, San Diego Yacht Club, South Shore Milwaukee Yacht Club, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club and Little Traverse Bay Yacht Club. He is currently lecturing and teaching at clinics and regattas throughout the world. He is an avid outdoorman, environmentalist, conservationist and currently serves the Delta Waterfowl Foundation (formerly the N.A. Wildlife Foundation) as its Chairman of their Delta Marsh Rehabilitation Committee.
Some of “Buddy’s accomplishments. . America’s Cup Challenge Campaign: 1986/87 – Heart of America. . . Bronze Medal – Flying Dutchman – 1964 Olympic Games. . . Gold Medal – Soling Class – 1972 Olympic Games. . . Gold Medal – Flying Dutchman – 1967 Pan Am Games. . . Maxi World Championships (1st place – Matador2 – 1991). . .Star Class World Championships (1st place – 1978, 1979, ). . . 5.5 Meter World Championships (1st place – 1967, 1973, 1983). . . International 50-Foot World Cup (1st place – Carat VII – 1990). . . National E-Scow Championships (1st place – 1965, 1969, 1978, 1979, 1983). . . International Skeeter Ice Boat Championships (1st place – 1955, 1957, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1980, 1981). . . Columbus Cup 1991 . . . Martini-Rossi Trophy 1961, 1972, 1978. . . Hereshoff Trophy 1973. . . King of Spain Trophy, 1972. . . One-Design “Sailor of the Year” 1978, 1979. . . W. Van Alan Clark Trophy “Sportsman of the Year” 1987. . . named “Yachtsman of the Year” 1961, 1972, 1983. . . I.L.Y.A. “A” Scow Championship (1981, 1986, 1987). . . Shamrock vs. Endeavor (return of the J’s) 1st 1990. . . One-Design Sailor of the Year (1978, 1979). . . Winning Helmsman on America’s Cup yacht “America3″ 1992.
