Buddy Melges
April 24, 2002
Buddy Melges
The Wizard of Zenda
This three-time Yachtsman of the Year, Olympic bronze ('64 FD)
and gold medallist ('72 Soling) hails from Zenda, Wisconsin, and is
considered to be America's greatest natural sailor ever. Known as the
"Wizard of Zenda," Melges (b. 1930) has won the Star and Soling worlds
plus a slew of Scow and iceboat championships.
In 1992, he helped Bill Koch steer America3 to a successful defense of the America's Cup. Melges is currently chairman of the family boatbuilding company.
