Kyle Navin & Harry Melges IV to Speak at Nite 50th Anniversary Party!

Kyle Navin

Previous: Cheers to 50 Years
Nite sailors Kyle Navin and Harry Melges IV will be special guests at the Nite 50th Anniversary Party on October 26, sharing stories and insights from their recent experiences at the Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona. This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from two young, talented sailors who are deeply rooted in the Nite community.

Join the Nite Class at Harken Headquarters in Pewaukee to celebrate 50 years of the Nite Class and hear from Kyle and Harry about their incredible journey. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just a fan of the sport, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Sign up here for this event.

The Roundtable will begin at 4:00 pm with Tom Sweitzer the GOAT Hear some stories and learn some tips from the best Nite Sailors
Kyle and Harry will continue with videos and a Q&A of their experience on the American Magic Youth America’s Cup
October 26, 2024
5:30 Food and Cocktail at Harken, Inc. Pewaukee, WI
$25.00
RSVP: mkbohleber@gmail.com
or
https://niteracing.org/event/7NGFkfX0UX
Southern Wisconsin Swap Meet
Sunday October 27, 2024
9 – Noon
The Iceboat Foundation will be displaying the Mary B and the Insanity both days.

Fontana Iceboaters Competing in Final Series of Youth America’s Cup

Bumpy!

Previous: Ice Sailors to Represent USA in Youth America’s Cup
Iceboating: The Unsung Training Ground for America’s Cup Helmsmen
It’s time to check in on the talented iceboaters from Fontana, WI, who are in the hunt in Barcelona, Spain, for the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup. Harry Melges IV, Kyle Navin, Finn Rowe, and Severin Graham (from Florida, but we hope to see him on the ice someday!) have advanced to the final series, clinching victory in Race 8 today. The team now stands second overall in Group A, just behind Italy.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, American Magic will face Italy, Great Britain, Sweden, Spain, and Australia in the final series of 3-4 fleet races. The top two teams will then compete in a single match-race final to decide the overall champion.

Catch the action live and watch these young sailors continue to represent the USA in thrilling foiling races.
Watch Live:
ESPN+
YouTube Link: America’s Cup YouTube Channel
Race Time: 7 AM CT (with your coffee!)

Learn More About the AC40 Boats: The AC40 is modeled after the larger America’s Cup AC75 boats, featuring two large, weighted foils and no traditional keel. These boats foil on a single foil, with the windward foil raised from the water to reduce drag and boost speed. For more information, check out this in-depth article: Yachting World – Youth America’s Cup 2024. foiling races.

Iceboating: The Unsung Training Ground for America’s Cup Helmsmen

Link to video.
Previous: Ice Sailors to Represent USA in Youth America’s Cup
In this interview with Harken Blockheads, Harry Melges IV, one of the helmsmen representing the USA in the upcoming Youth America’s Cup, was asked which boat sails most similarly to the cutting-edge AC40. His answer? “Iceboating is probably the most similar.”

This comes as no surprise for those of us in the iceboating community. Ever since foiling boats began to dominate the America’s Cup, we’ve recognized the parallels between the speeds and control demanded by both foiling and iceboating. Harry’s insight confirms what we’ve known all along iceboating is the perfect training ground for mastering high-speed sailing.

As Harry and his team prepare to compete on the world stage in Barcelona, it’s exciting to see hard water skills being recognized as key to success in the Youth America’s Cup. Iceboating continues to play a role in competitive sailing, and we’re proud to see our sport contributing to the next generation of champions.

Ice Sailors to Represent USA in Youth America’s Cup


Iceboaters, we have a horse in the Youth America’s Cup race starting in Barcelona on September 17, 2024. Just down the road from Four Lakes, Fontana, WI, home of the Skeeter Iceboat Club, has the highest concentration of Youth America’s Cup sailors in North America, all with a background in ice sailing. Kyle Navin, Harry Melges IV, and Finn Rowe have been selected to represent the USA in this prestigious event. Their iceboating experience has prepared them well for the high speeds and intense competition of the AC40 boats, which can reach 45 knots downwind (almost as fast as an iceboat.)
WHAT TO KNOW
When: Begins September 17, 2024
Event website
How to Watch
About the Team
Photos courtesy of Nite sailor Dave Navin