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Melges 14 Stadium Sailing High School Challenge brings the sport to the masses Grosse Pointe, Mich. (May 21, 2017) – High school sailors battled it out this weekend at the Melges 14 Stadium Sailing High School Challenge. With cheers and camera clicks from the audience on the bleachers, the Melges 14 put on a big show for the crowd. It was the perfect boat for Stadium Sailing, a brand new format designed to bring the sport of sailing closer to the public eye—literally. Now that’s a great way to grow the sport. “YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THEIR SMILES” Sailing can be tough to reach and even harder to watch, but Stadium Sailing has emerged as a solution, propelling the sport into the awareness of new audiences. The Melges 14 attracted lots of power boaters and enthusiasts to watch sailing during the Great Lakes Boating Festival at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. The Melges 14 proved to be the perfect boat to bring sailing to the masses during this weekend’s event. Made by Melges Performance Sailboats, the Melges 14 is a modern singlehanded one-design racing boat with a comfortable cockpit and open transom. It was awarded Sailing World’s 2016 Boat of the Year – Best Dinghy for its ultra-fast design, three rigs and ability to sail with one person or two. The Melges 14 offers a clear path for scholastic sailors to stay in the sport after graduation. “For most of these youth sailors, this was the first look at the popular Melges 14. It was really fun to see them get into the boats for the first time and, wow, you should have seen their smiles. The high school teams really had fun,” said Eric Ellison, Head Coach of Detroit County Day, West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills High School Sailing Teams. UP CLOSE & PERSONAL With a real stake in active recruitment, scholastic sailing is doing its part to grow the base of the sport, getting never-evers into sailboats every season. By designing racing for spectators, the new format in the new class of boats increases exposure and accessibility of the sport. At the Melges 14 Stadium Sailing High School Challenge, six high schools sailed Melges 14s to put on a show for the public and the parents. Until now, parents and supporters didn’t have an easy, accessible way to get close enough to the action to see what it’s all about. This weekend’s Melges 14 racing at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Sailing Stadium featured a course close to the crowd, ripping off short, intense races using the MarkSetBot, a motorized, remote-controlled buoy developed for Stadium Sailing. The racing was up close and personal. “I’m part of the powerboat crowd. I was over on the shore looking at the sailing, and the Melges 14 caught my eye, so I came over to see what was going on,” said Jim Tuck of Detroit, Michigan, “The clear sails on these fast boats are really, really cool. I’ve never seen anything like this … They are obviously having a lot of fun. I hear that the [Melges 14] boats are pretty affordable too.” “EXTREMELY FUN TO SAIL” Grosse Pointe South High School Sailing Team won the event, followed by West Bloomfield and Detroit Country Day. “I think the Melges 14 is really well designed. I love the self-draining cockpit, which lets you focus on sailing instead of constantly bailing the boat. They’re super fast boats, and they’re just extremely fun to sail,” said Jacob Mackey, a senior at Detroit Country Day. “They’re really fun. They accelerate super quickly. I also like them because you don’t have to bail. The water just flows right out the open transom. These Melges 14s are totally rad,” said Adrianna ‘Adj’ Lee, a Junior at Bloomfield Hills High School. “It’s not a Laser and it’s not a Bic – It’s like a really exciting, better hybrid between the two,” said Nicole Millerman, a sophomore at West Bloomfield High School. “I had a chance at the end of the day to sail one for a few minutes. I have been a Laser sailor for almost 40 years and could feel the difference in the two boats right away. The Melges 14 felt more lively upwind and was much more comfortable in the hiking position. The rig was very controllable and the boat accelerated quickly in the puffs,” said John Walton, Sailing Director of Crescent Sail Yacht Club. The event was organized by Melges Performance Sailboats and Grosse Pointe Yacht Club as a stop on the Melges 14 Tour and was supported by the Premiere Sailing League and the MarkSetBot. Visit Melges14.com for more information.

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Step aboard and relive the magic of our unforgettable adventures. This is more than a sailing adventures, it’s a voyage of connection, wonder, and discovery. Swim alongside graceful sea turtles in crystal clear waters. Snorkel beside gentle whale sharks an awe inspiring encounter that stays with you forever. Watch as the sun dips below the horizon and thousands of bats rise into the twilight sky in one of nature’s most surreal spectacles. Feel the rhythm of ancient traditions as we dance with local communities, share stories, and are welcomed with open hearts. From vibrant coral gardens to the quiet beauty of remote islands, every moment is filled with life, color, and soul. 💛 To our incredible guests, thank you! Thank you for trusting us with your time, your spirit of adventure, and your curiosity. Your presence brings these journeys to life, and we are endlessly grateful to be part of your story. 🗺️✨ Can you imagine it? The salt in the air, the sound of laughter, the thrill of discovery... This is your invitation to explore, to feel, and to connect with nature, with people, and with the extraordinary world beneath the surface. 🌿 Let the adventure begin. 🎥: Dani Mulyana & Tinae Siringo Ringo #SailingAdventure #WhaleSharks #SnorkelingWithTurtles #EcoTravel #SeaTrekSailingAdventures #BucketListTrip #TravelWithPurpose #OceanExploration #UnforgettableMoments #Sailing #FamilyAdventure #WhaleShark #WhaleSharkEncounter #UnderwaterAdventures #Underwater #Snorkeling #CoralReefExplorer

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On their trip from Fort Lauderdale to grand Bahama, Lisa and Matt encountered their first waterspout. Follow Sailing Bye Felicia for more sailing and scuba diving adventures! https://youtube.com/c/SailingByeFelicia

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The Antares 44i is built using only the finest craftsmanship! Live free. Live aboard. http://www.liveantares.com/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveAntares/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antares_40gradossur/

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